Effectiveness of Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for Non-Shockable Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: An Analysis From the SOS-KANTO 2017 Study.

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) using veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) has the potential as a viable treatment for refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). While mechanical circulatory support devices, such as Impella® and left ventricular assist devices, are being increasingly used, initial ECPR often relies on V-A ECMO. Previous studies, including randomized controlled trials, reported the prognostic benefits of ECPR for shockable OHCA (SOHCA); however, its effectiveness for non-SOHCA (NSOHCA) remains unclear, with poorer neurological outcomes and the lower return of spontaneous circulation rates than for SOHCA being reported. The present study utilized data from the SOS-KANTO 2017 study to examine the impact of ECPR on the neurological outcomes of NSOHCA. Data from 2,502 OHCA cases were analyzed, with a focus on the relationship between ECPR and 90-day neurological outcomes. The results obtained showed significantly higher survival rates at 30 and 90 days and significantly better 90-day neurological outcomes in the ECMO attempt group than in the non-ECMO attempt group. A multivariate analysis identified ECPR as one of the significant independent predictors of favorable neurological outcomes. The prognosis of NSOHCA cases with CA was improved by ECPR using V-A ECMO, particularly in those where CPR was initiated within one minute of onset and the patient arrived at the hospital within 45 minutes. Factors associated with a favorable prognosis included a shorter time from onset to hospital arrival and the likelihood of acute coronary syndrome being the cause of CA. The present results suggest the potential of ECPR to improve the survival and the 90-day prognosis of NSOHCA, particularly when bystander CPR is initiated quickly and hospital arrival is prompt.