Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation for pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A review of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry

Aims: Current data are insufficient for the leading resuscitation societies to advise on the use of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) for pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). The aim of this study was to explore the current utilization of ECPR for pediatric OHCA and characterize the patient demographics, arrest features, and metabolic parameters associated with survival. Methods: Retrospective review of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry database from January 2020 to May 2023, including children 28 days to 18 years old who received ECPR for OHCA. The primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge. Results: Eighty patients met inclusion criteria. Median age was 8.8 years [2.0-15.8] and 53.8% of patients were male. OHCA was witnessed for 65.0% of patients and 46.3% received bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Initial rhythm was shockable in 26.3% of patients and total CPR duration was 78 min [52-106]. Signs of life were noted for 31.3% of patients and a cardiac etiology precipitating event was present in 45.0%. Survival to discharge was 29.9%. Initial shockable rhythm was associated with increased odds of survival (unadjusted OR 4.7 [1.5-14.5]; p = 0.006), as were signs of life prior to ECMO (unadjusted OR 7.8 [2.6-23.4]; p < 0.001). Lactate levels early on-ECMO (unadjusted OR 0.89 [0.79-0.99]; p = 0.02) and at 24 h on-ECMO (unadjusted OR 0.62 [0.42-0.91]; p < 0.001) were associated with decreased odds of survival. Conclusions: These preliminary data suggest that while overall survival is poor, a carefully selected pediatric OHCA patient may benefit from ECPR. Further studies are needed to understand long-term neurologic outcomes.