Extracorporeal life support in post-traumatic respiratory distress patients.
BACKGROUND
Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) has been applied successfully to patients with acute cardiopulmonary failure. However, ECLS remains controversial for traumatized patients who are prone to bleeding.


METHODS
From March 2004 to October 2007, nine patients with post-traumatic respiratory distress refractory to ventilator support were treated with ECLS. Mean patient age was 35.1+/-9.7 (range, 18-47) years, average injury severity score (ISS) was 44.56+/-4.93 (range, 35-50), and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (SOFA) score was 12.1+/-3.67 (range, 7-16). Before ECLS, all patients had received thoracic interventions, including four lung resections, with a mean PaO(2) of 49.04+/-9.82 (range, 31-64) mmHg and PaCO(2) of 66.4+/-15.72 (range, 45-86) mmHg. Seven patients were supported in standard veno-venous mode, and the other two were initially supported in veno-arterial mode due to hemodynamic instability.


RESULTS
Median interval from trauma to ECLS was 33 (range, 4-384) h, and median duration of ECLS was 145 (range, 69-456) h. Six (66.7%) patients received additional surgeries during ECLS. One died of sepsis from occult colon rupture and the other of acute liver failure, 6 and 13 days respectively after trauma. Seven (77.8%) patients were weaned and discharged.


CONCLUSIONS
Using ECLS to resuscitate traumatic respiratory distress proved to be safe and effective when conventional therapies had been exhausted. Early deployment of ECLS to preserve systemic organ perfusion, aggressive treatment of coexisting injuries and tailored anticoagulation protocols are crucial to a successful outcome.
Division of Cardiac Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, and Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Taiwan.
Yao-Kuang
YK
Huang
Kou-Sheng
KS
Liu
Ming-Shian
MS
Lu
Meng-Yu
MY
Wu
Feng-Chun
FC
Tsai
Pyng Jing
PJ
Lin
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005112:Extracorporeal Circulation; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008020:Life Support Care / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
D000925:Anticoagulants; D006493:Heparin