A 2007 Survey of Extracorporeal Life Support Members: Personnel and Equipment

Abstract

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used to support patients with cardiopulmonary failure in the intensive care unit. The purpose of this study is to determine what professional qualifications, equipment, and tests are used by established ECMO programs registered with the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO). A survey link (Survey-Monkey) was e-mailed to the 110 registered ELSO program coordinators. Forty-nine responses were received. A test of binomial portions showed that nurses were more likely to be ECMO providers than respiratory therapists or perfusionists (p< .05). A χ2test identified a difference in the type of pump (roller or centrifugal) based on patient age (p< .005). The most common monitoring/safety devices were battery back-up (84%), pre- and post-oxygenator pressure (82%), mixed venous oxygen saturation (80%), venous line pressure (76%), blood flowmeter (63%), bubble detector (61%), point-of-care blood gases (59%), and in-line blood gas monitoring (47%). Laboratory tests available included d-dimer (65%), plasma-free hemoglobin (63%), anti-Xa plasma heparin concentration (43%), thromboelastograph (37%), and heparin concentration using protamine titration (35%). This survey of ELSO-registered centers represents an overview of current ECMO practices.