Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Life Support for Acute Pulmonary Embolism Improved Outcomes

A recent study published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery highlights the outcomes of patients who underwent Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Life Support (VA-ECLS) for various indications by majorly focusing on acute pulmonary embolism (PE). The study by Erik Scott and team examined data from the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization global registry that spanned from 2010 to 2019.

The findings analyzed a cohort of 26,583 patients in total with 978 (3.7%) participants on VA-ECLS for acute PE as the primary diagnosis that revealed significant differences in outcomes based on the indication for VA-ECLS. The patients receiving VA-ECLS for acute PE were found to have a significantly higher likelihood of survival to hospital discharge compared to those supported for other reasons.

The individuals undergoing VA-ECLS for acute PE were 78% more likely to be discharged alive by highlighting the potential efficacy of this intervention in managing acute PE cases. Also, these patients expressed fewer cardiovascular and renal complications when compared to their counterparts who were supported for other indications, suggesting a relatively smoother recovery trajectory.

However, the analysis also unveiled higher rates of mechanical complications among patients who undergo VA-ECLS for acute PE that suggests the need for careful monitoring and management of such issues during treatment.

The outcomes of the study emphasized the significance of guiding clinical decision-making for patients requiring VA-ECLS support, particularly in cases of acute PE. Additional findings underscore the importance of considering VA-ECLS as a crucial intervention for acute PE cases, given the improved survival outcomes observed in this patient population. While further research is mandated to analyze deeper into the nuances of VA-ECLS outcomes across different indications, this study provides valuable insights into the potential benefits and considerations associated with employing VA-ECLS in cases of acute PE.

Reference:

Scott, E. J., Young, S., Ratcliffe, S. J., Wang, X.-Q., Mehaffey, J. H., Sharma, A., Rycus, P., Tonna, J., Yarboro, L., Bryner, B., Collins, M., & Teman, N. R. (2024). Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Life Support Use in Acute Pulmonary Embolism Shows Favorable Outcomes. In The Annals of Thoracic Surgery. Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.athoracsur.2024.02.008