(209) Outcomes of ECMO Support With Polypropylene Membrane During Pandemic Times

Introduction: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic resulted in shortages of supplies, which limited the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. As a contingency strategy, polypropylene (PP) oxygenation membranes were used. This study describes the clinical outcomes in patients on ECMO with PP compared to poly-methylpentene (PMP) oxygenation membranes.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and cannulated for ECMO support at Fundación Clínica Shaio in Bogotá, Colombia, a reference center for ECMO support and a member of ELSO, during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021.

Results: A total of 152 patients with ECMO support were included, 71.05% were men with an average age of 42 (SD 9.91) years. Veno-venous configuration was performed in 75.6% of cases. The PP oxygenation membranes required more changes 22 (63.1%), than the PMP Sorin® 24 (32,8%) and Euroset® 15 (31,9%) (p.0.022). The main indication for membrane change was low oxygen transfer for PP at 56.2%, Sorin® at 50%, and Euroset® at 14.8%. Renal replacement therapy was the most frequent complication with PP membrane in 22 patients (68.7%) Sorin® 25 patients (34.2%), and Euroset® 15 patients (31.9%) (p 0.001) without statistically significant differences in mortality.

Conclusions: PP oxygenation membranes are used as a backup option in critical situations, particularly in contingency cases, with similar outcomes to PMP membranes in critically ill patients. Some findings suggest that the use of PP membranes may be associated with a higher incidence of renal injury, although this could have a multifactorial cause and patients may be more severely ill in comparison. Ultimately, the use of PP membranes may be beneficial in ECMO patients without significant complications or mortality.