Extracorporeal Gas Exchange for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Open Questions, Controversies and Future Directions

Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-V ECMO) in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) improves gas exchange and allows lung rest, thus minimizing ventilation-induced lung injury. In the last forty years, a major technological and clinical improvement allowed to dramatically improve the outcome of patients treated with V-V ECMO. However, many aspects of the care of patients on V-V ECMO remain debated. In this review, we will focus on main issues and controversies on caring of ARDS patients on V-V ECMO support. Particularly, the indications to V-V ECMO and the feasibility of a less invasive extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal will be discussed. Moreover, the controversies on management of mechanical ventilation, prone position and sedation will be explored. In conclusion, we will discuss evidences on transfusions and management of anticoagulation, also focusing on patients who undergo simultaneous treatment with ECMO and renal replacement therapy. This review aims to discuss all these clinical aspects with an eye on future directions and perspectives.

Alternatives to heparin anticoagulation for cardiopulmonary bypass and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are both mechanical circulatory support technologies that augment the native heart and/or lung function. They involve drainage and reinfusion of blood while performing extracorporeal gas exchange. 1 In both devices, contact between patient blood and the non-endothelialized surface of the circuit triggers an inflammatory response and pro-coagulation cascade. 2–5 As a result, prophylactic anticoagulation is integral to prevent catastrophic thrombosis of the circuitry. In rare instances, there exist contraindications to heparin use, necessitating alternative management strategies. 6 In this review, we will examine heparin contraindications in mechanical circulatory support and summarize alternative approaches to anticoagulation in these circumstances.

Abordagem de enfermagem à pessoa em situação crítica submetida a oxigenação por membrana extracorporal: Scoping review

La Oxigenación con Membrana Extracorpórea (ECMO en inglés) es un tipo de soporte artificial cardiopulmonar usado para tratar el fallo respiratorio severo ya que permite la oxigenación extracorpórea. Además, en pacientes con fallo cardíaco severo o que han sufrido un infarto, esta técnica provee circulación sistémica. Sin embargo, la ECMO conlleva algunos riesgos, por ejemplo, coagulopatías. El enfermero tiene un papel clave en esta situación.Objetivo: Dejar clara la función científica de los enfermeros en relación con el paciente crítico en tratamiento con ECMO.Método: Llevamos a cabo un estudio usando las bases de datos de la plataforma EBSCO host y siguiendo la metodología propuesta por el Instituto Joanna Briggs. Con base en los descriptores de la MeSH, hemos seleccionado estudios publicados entre el 2009 y 2019, escritos en portugués e inglés. Resultados: Se han incluido 5 estudios en esta revisión. El análisis de los artículos nos permitió verificar que la labor del enfermero se basa en la monitorización, supervisión, dirección y coordinación del cuidado de los pacientes críticos sometidos a ECMO. También se apreció que el uso de protocolos adecuados, la formación de equipos multidisciplinarios y la comunicación adecuada entre los componentes del equipo contribuye a un abordaje eficaz, seguro y de calidad para tratar a los pacientes sometidos a ECMO.Conclusión: El papel del enfermero es fundamental para la calidad y seguridad de los cuidados prestados a los pacientes críticos sometidos a ECMO. Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) corresponds to a form of mechanical cardiopulmonary support used to treat severe respiratory failure, since it allows extracorporeal gas exchange. Additionally, in patients with severe heart failure, or experiencing cardiorespiratory arrest, this technique also provides systemic circulation. Nevertheless, ECMO carries some risks, such as clot formation. It is in this context that the nurse has a key role.Objective: To map the available scientific evidence about the nurses’ approach to the critically ill person subjected to ECMO.Method: We conducted a scoping review, using databases accessed through the EBSCOhost platform and following the methodology proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. Through the combination of appropriate MesH descriptors, we selected articles published between 2009 and 2019, written in Portuguese or English.Results: Five studies were included in the review. Their analysis allowed us to verify that the nurse’s approach focuses on the monitoring, surveillance, management and coordination of the care provided to critically ill patients subjected to ECMO. It was also found that the adoption of adequate protocols, the training of the multidisciplinary teams and an efficient communication between team members contributed to an effective, safe and high-quality performance when facing patients subjected to ECMO.Conclusion: An appropriate nursing approach is essential to ensure the provision of care with quality, and safety, to the patient subjected to ECMO.

Review of the Literature on the Occurrence of Delirium after Veno-Venous and Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Systematic Review

Introduction: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an extracorporeal gas exchange method which, despite a number of advantages, carries the risk of many complications. ECMO is a modern intensive care method which in many cases is the last resort for the patient. Care and supervision are provided by a multidisciplinary team of specialists: physicians, perfusionists, and nurses. The aim of this review is to analyze the occurrence of delirium in ECMO patients. Methods: Both authors independently extracted data from all included trials and assessed the risk of bias. A systematic review was performed using the protocol of the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias tool. The search was based on PubMed, Web of Science, and Mendeley. Three articles from recent years have been analyzed in this work. Literature selection was made using the PRISMA checklist. The analyzed literature proves how important the topic of delirium is in ECMO therapy. In the case of pharmacotherapy, there are many combinations of drugs that prevent the occurrence of the delirium phenomenon. Results: This work deals with the subject of delirium after ECMO, which is not a common subject in the popular literature. Many of the elements mentioned in the articles analyzed show how important this topic is. The authors place great emphasis on the elements which are not related to pharmacotherapy and the prevention of delirium. For the prevention of delirium after ECMO, a psychological approach to the patient is important. As far as pharmacotherapy is concerned, it is the last element to be taken into account in the prevention of delirium in ECMO patients. An overview of the literature indicates that the subject of nursing care has been omitted; however, there are tools which allow nurses to assess delirium in patients. Conclusion: Delirium in patients undergoing ECMO therapy is a topic that has not been fully described in the literature. This review of the literature shows how important it is to treat a patient with delirium during this therapy and how important it may be to have an early diagnosis of delirium to prevent complications.