title: The use of an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation anticoagulation laboratory protocol is associated with decreased blood product use, decreased hemorrhagic complications, and increased circuit life.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if a comprehensive extracorporeal membrane oxygenation anticoagulation monitoring protocol results in fewer hemorrhagic complications, reduced blood product usage, and increased circuit life.
  
  
  METHODS
  In September 2011, we augmented our standard extracorporeal membrane oxygenation laboratory protocol to include anti-factor Xa assays, thromboelastography, and antithrombin measurements. We performed a retrospective chart review to determine outcomes for patients placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation prior to and after the initiation of our anticoagulation laboratory protocol.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary care, academic children's hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients who were placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation at our institution from January 1, 2007, to September 30, 2013.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 261 extracorporeal membrane oxygenation runs before the initiation of the protocol and 105 extracorporeal membrane oxygenation runs after the initiation of the protocol. There were no major changes to our extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuit or changes to our transfusion threshold during the study period. The indication for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, age, and severity of illness of the patients were similar before and after protocol initiation. Median blood product usage for packed RBCs, fresh frozen plasma, platelets, and cryoprecipitate decreased significantly after protocol initiation. The occurrence of cannula site bleeding decreased from 22% to 12% (p = 0.04), and surgical site bleeding decreased from 38% to 25% (p = 0.02). Median extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuit life increased from 3.6 to 4.3 days (p = 0.02). A trend toward increased patient survival was noted, but it did not reach statistical significance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We demonstrate an association between an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation anticoagulation laboratory protocol using anti-factor Xa assays, thromboelastography, and antithrombin measurements and a decrease in blood product transfusion, a decrease in hemorrhagic complications, and an increase in circuit life. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate clinical benefit associated with the use of these laboratory values for patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
authors.affiliation: 1Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN. 2Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN. 3Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN. 4Thomas P. Graham Jr. Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN. 5Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN. 6Department of Pediatric Surgery, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN.
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Northrop
authors.forename: Robert F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Sidonio
authors.forename: Sharon E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Andrew H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Hardison C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Daphne
authors.forename: John B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Pietsch
authors.forename: Brian C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Bridges
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001777:Blood Coagulation; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015199:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013916:Thrombelastography
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants