• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.8-13
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• 2017

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been successfully used as a method for the interhospital transportation of critically ill patients. In South Korea, a well-established ECMO interhospital transport system is lacking due to limited resources. We developed a simplified ECMO transport system without mechanical ventilation for use by public emergency medical services. Methods: Eighteen patients utilized our ECMO transport system from December 2011 to September 2015. We retrospectively analyzed the indications for ECMO, the patient status during transport, and the patient outcomes. Results: All transport was conducted on the ground by ambulance. The distances covered ranged from 26 to 408 km (mean, $65.9{\pm}88.1km$) and the average transport time was $56.1{\pm}57.3minutes$ (range, 30 to 280 minutes). All patients were transported without adverse events. After transport, 4 patients (22.2%) underwent lung transplantation because of interstitial lung disease. Eight patients who had severe acute respiratory distress syndrome showed recovery of heart and lung function after ECMO therapy. A total of 13 patients (70.6%) were successfully taken off ECMO, and 11 patients (61.1%) survived. Conclusion: Our ECMO transport system without mechanical ventilation can be considered a safe and useful method for interhospital transport and could be a good alternative option for ECMO transport in Korean hospitals with limited resources.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.452-461
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• 2022

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can be used in patients with refractory cardiogenic shock or respiratory failure. In South Korea, the need for transporting ECMO patients is increasing. Nonetheless, information on urgent transportation and its outcomes is scant. Methods: In this retrospective review of 5 years of experience in ECMO transportation at a single center, the clinical outcomes of transported patients were compared with those of in-hospital patients. The effects of transportation and the relationship between insertion-departure time and survival were also analyzed. Results: There were 323 cases of in-hospital ECMO (in-hospital group) and 29 cases transferred to Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital without adverse events (mobile group). The median transportation time was 95 minutes (interquartile range [IQR], 36.5-119.5 minutes), whereas the median transportation distance was 115 km (IQR, 15-115 km). Transportation itself was not an independent risk factor for 28-day mortality (odds ratio [OR], 0.818; IQR, 0.381-1.755; p=0.605), long-term mortality (OR, 1.099; IQR, 0.680-1.777; p=0.700), and failure of ECMO weaning (OR, 1.003; IQR, 0.467-2.152; p=0.995) or survival to discharge (OR, 0.732; IQR, 0.337-1.586; p=0.429). After adjustment for covariates, no significant difference in the ECMO insertion-departure time was found between the survival and mortality groups (p=0.435). Conclusion: The outcomes of urgent transportation, with active involvement of the ECMO center before ECMO insertion and adherence to the transport protocol, were comparable to those of in-hospital ECMO patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.195-204
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• 2024

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an intervention for severe heart and lung failure; however, it poses the risk of complications, including gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB). Comprehensive analyses of GIB in patients undergoing ECMO are limited, and its impact on clinical outcomes remains unclear. Methods: This retrospective study included 484 patients who received venovenous and venoarterial ECMO between January 2015 and December 2022. Data collected included patient characteristics, laboratory results, GIB details, and interventions. Statistical analyses were performed to identify risk factors and assess the outcomes. Results: GIB occurred in 44 of 484 patients (9.1%) who received ECMO. Multivariable analysis revealed that older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.06; p=0.0130) and need to change the ECMO mode (OR, 3.74; 95% CI, 1.75-7.96; p=0.0006) were significant risk factors for GIB, whereas no association was found with antiplatelet or systemic anticoagulation therapies during ECMO management. Half of the patients with GIB (22/44, 50%) underwent intervention, with endoscopy as the primary modality (19/22, 86.4%). Patients who underwent ECMO and developed GIB had higher rates of mortality (40/44 [90.9%] vs. 262/440 [59.5%]) and ECMO weaning failure (38/44 [86.4%] vs. 208/440 [47.3%]). Conclusion: GIB in patients undergoing ECMO is associated with adverse outcomes, including increased risks of mortality and weaning failure. Even in seemingly uncomplicated cases, it is crucial to avoid underestimating the significance of GIB.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2001.09a
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• pp.13-18
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• 2001

The ECMO system, including umbilical cord and membrane type oxygenator was connected with extracorporeal circulation unit, was applied to the fetus growth model of goat. The maximum survival time of goat fetus was 48 hours. Average blood rate for the extracorporeal circulation was $223{\pm}15.2 ml/min.$ The survival time of fetus was deeply related to body temperature, blood circulation and water temperature, anesthetized time, and fetus weights. Extern variables that are composed of anesthetized time, fetus weights, change of hemoglobin, circuit pressure, related to the survival time for fetus corrected the problem of previous ECMO model that is controlled by roller pump. It is directly delivered to heart on load. Applying the results from new ECMO model, further research will provide to the system of ECMO for human.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.128-135
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• 2023

Background: Pneumonia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 can cause acute respiratory distress syndrome, often requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation and eventually tracheostomy. Both procedures occur in isolation units where personal protective equipment is needed. Additionally, the high bleeding risk in patients with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) places a great strain on surgeons. We investigated the clinical characteristics and outcomes of percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) supported by ECMO, and compared the outcomes of patients with and without ECMO. Methods: This retrospective, single-center, observational study included patients with severe COVID-19 who underwent elective PDT (n=29) from April 1, 2020, to October 31, 2021. The patients were divided into ECMO and non-ECMO groups. Data were collected from electronic medical records at Ajou University Hospital in Suwon, Korea. Results: Twenty-nine COVID-19 patients underwent PDT (24 men [82.8%] and 5 women [17.2%]; median age, 61 years; range, 26-87 years; interquartile range, 54-71 years). The mean procedure time was 17±10.07 minutes. No clinically or statistically significant difference in procedure time was noted between the ECMO and non-ECMO groups (16.35±7.34 vs. 18.25±13.32, p=0.661). Overall, 12 patients (41.4%) had minor complications; 10 had mild subdermal bleeding from the skin incision, which was resolved with local gauze packing, and 2 (6.9%) had dislodgement. No healthcare provider infection was reported. Conclusion: Our PDT approach is safe for patients and healthcare providers. With bronchoscopy assistance, PDT can be performed quickly and easily even in isolation units and with acceptable risk, regardless of the hypo-coagulable condition of patients on ECMO.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.403-406
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• 2017

Tracheobronchial rupture due to blunt chest trauma is a rare but life-threatening injury in the pediatric population. Computed tomography (CT) is not always reliable in the management of these patients. An additional concern is that ventilation may be disrupted during surgical repair of these injuries. This report presents the case of a 4 -year-old boy with an injury to the lower trachea and carina due to blunt force trauma that was missed on the initial CT scan. During surgery, he was administered venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Although ECMO is not generally used in children, this case demonstrated that the short-term use of ECMO during pediatric surgery is safe and can prevent intraoperative desaturation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.143-150
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• 2022

Background: The effectiveness of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for patients with refractory cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest is being established, and serum lactate is well known as a biomarker of end-organ perfusion. We evaluated the efficacy of pre-ECMO lactate for predicting 6-month survival in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing ECMO. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 148 patients who underwent veno-arterial (VA) ECMO for ACS between January 2015 and June 2020. These patients were divided into survivors and non-survivors based on 6-month survival. All clinical data before and during ECMO were compared between the 2 groups. Results: Patients' mean age was 66.0±10.5 years, and 116 (78.4%) were men. The total survival rate was 45.9% (n=68). Cox regression analysis showed that the pre-ECMO lactate level was an independent predictor of 6-month mortality (hazard ratio, 1.210; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.064-1.376; p=0.004). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of pre-ECMO lactate was 0.64 (95% CI, 0.56-0.72; p=0.002; cut-off value=9.8 mmol/L). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the cumulative survival rate at 6 months was significantly higher among patients with a pre-ECMO lactate level of 9.8 mmol/L or less than among those with a level exceeding 9.8 mmol/L (57.3% vs. 31.8%, p=0.0008). Conclusion: A pre-ECMO lactate of 9.8 mmol/L or less may predict a favorable outcome at 6 months in ACS patients undergoing VA-ECMO. Further research aiming to improve the accuracy of predictions of reversibility in patients with high pre-ECMO lactate levels is essential.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.273-278
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• 2011

Despite aggressive treatment, the mortality rate of cardiogenic shock with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is high. We performed extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) prior to coronary reperfusion, and evaluated the early clinical results and risk factors. Materials and Methods: From May 2006 to November 2009, we reviewed the medical records of 20 patients in cardiogenic shock with AMI (mean age $67.7{\pm}11.7$ yrs, M : F 14 : 6). After initially performing ECMO using the CAPIOX emergency bypass system ($EBS^{(R)}$Terumo, Tokyo, Japan), patients underwent coronary reperfusion (coronary artery bypass grafting, 13; percutaneous coronary intervention, 7). Results: All patients were in a cardiogenic shock state, cardiopulmonary resuscitations (CPR) were performed for fourteen patients (mean CPR time $20.8{\pm}26.0$ min). The mean time from vascular access to the initiation of ECMO was $17.2{\pm}9.4$ min and mean support time was $3.8{\pm}4.0$ days. Fourteen patients were able to be weaned from ECMO and ten patients were discharged (mean admission duration $50.1{\pm}31.6$ days). Patients survived on average $476.6{\pm}374.6$ days of follow-up. Longer CPR and support time, increased cardiac enzyme, lower ejection fraction, lower albumin, and major complications were the risk factors of mortality (p<0.05). Conclusion: The early application of ECMO prior to coronary reperfusion and control of risk factors allowed for good clinical results in cardiogenic shock with AMI.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.36-44
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• 2021

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has become increasingly accepted as a life-saving procedure for patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This study investigated the relationship between cumulative fluid balance (CFB) and outcomes in adult ARDS patients treated with ECMO. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of adult ARDS patients who received ECMO between December 2009 and December 2019 at Korea University Anam Hospital. CFB was calculated during the first 7 days after ECMO initiation. The primary endpoint was 28-day mortality. Results: The 74 patients were divided into survivor (n=33) and non-survivor (n=41) groups based on 28-day survival. Non-survivors showed a significantly higher CFB at 1-7 days (p<0.05). Cox multivariable proportional hazard regression revealed a relationship between CFB on day 3 and 28-day mortality (hazard ratio, 3.366; 95% confidence interval, 1.528-7.417; p=0.003). Conclusion: In adult ARDS patients treated with ECMO, a higher positive CFB on day 3 was associated with increased 28-day mortality. Based on our findings, we suggest a restrictive fluid strategy in ARDS patients treated with ECMO. CFB may be a useful predictor of survival in ARDS patients treated with ECMO.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2024

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can lead to acute respiratory failure, which frequently necessitates invasive mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). However, the limited availability of ECMO resources poses challenges to patient selection and associated decision-making. Consequently, this retrospective single-center study was undertaken to evaluate the characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients with COVID-19 receiving ECMO. Methods: Between March 2020 and July 2022, 65 patients with COVID-19 were treated with ECMO and were subsequently reviewed. Patient demographics, laboratory data, and clinical outcomes were examined, and statistical analyses were performed to identify risk factors associated with mortality. Results: Of the patients studied, 15 (23.1%) survived and were discharged from the hospital, while 50 (76.9%) died during their hospitalization. The survival group had a significantly lower median age, at 52 years (interquartile range [IQR], 47.5-61.5 years), compared to 64 years (IQR, 60.0-68.0 years) among mortality group (p=0.016). However, no significant differences were observed in other underlying conditions or in factors related to intervention timing. Multivariable analysis revealed that the requirement of a change in ECMO mode (odds ratio [OR], 366.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.92-69911.92; p=0.0275) and the initiation of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) (OR, 139.15; 95% CI, 1.95-9,910.14; p=0.0233) were independent predictors of mortality. Conclusion: Changes in ECMO mode and the initiation of CRRT during management were associated with mortality in patients with COVID-19 who were supported by ECMO. Patients exhibiting these factors require careful monitoring due to the potential for adverse outcomes.