Hemocompatibility-Related Adverse Events and Survival on Venoarterial Extracorporeal Life Support

Objectives This study sought to determine the frequency, incidence rates over time, association with mortality, and potential risk factors for hemocompatibility-related adverse events (HRAEs) occurring during venoarterial-extracorporeal life support (VA-ECLS). Background HRAEs are common complications of VA-ECLS. Studies examining relevant clinical predictors and the association of HRAEs with survival are limited by small sample size and single-center setting. Methods We queried adult patients supported with VA-ECLS from 2010 to 2017 in the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization database to assess the impact of HRAEs on in-hospital mortality. Results Among 11,984 adults meeting study inclusion, 8,457 HRAEs occurred; 62.1% were bleeding events. The HRAE rate decreased significantly over the study period (p trend Conclusions Although decreasing, HRAEs remain common during VA-ECLS and have a cumulative association with survival. Bleeding events are twice as common as thrombotic events, with a hierarchy of HRAEs influencing survival. Differential risk factors for bleeding and thrombotic complications exist and raise the possibility of a tailored approach to ECLS management.