Adult extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: an international survey of transfusion and anticoagulation techniques.

Abstract

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a method of life support for either isolated cardiac failure or respiratory failure, with or without cardiac failure. When used for hemodynamic support, the ECMO circuit presents a non-endothelialized, artificial surface to blood inciting an inflammatory response which activates haemostatic pathways. Anticoagulation may complicate a pre-existing coagulopathy and/or inadequate surgical hemostasis of varying severity. There is no standardized method to achieve and monitor anticoagulation or guide transfusion therapy during ECMO. We tested the hypothesis that institutions across the world conduct similar management of anticoagulation and transfusion during adult ECMO support.