Bleeding and Thrombosis During ECMO

Bleeding and thrombosis represent major adverse events during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Complications resulting from these events can lead to death or need for long term rehabilitation support. Despite the increasing use of extracorporeal support and new technology which makes it simpler and potentially safer to apply, little scientific information regarding the predictors of bleeding or thrombosis exists.

This project sought to describe the incidence of bleeding and thrombosis in ECMO patients at Collaborative Pediatric Critical Care Research Network (CPCCRN) sites and to describe current anticoagulation monitoring practices. Additionally, it sought evidence of association between bleeding and thrombotic complications, laboratory coagulation measurements, patient characteristics, ECMO circuitry, and adherence to center-specific ECMO management protocols. Data was collected on 514 subjects receiving ECMO at CPCCRN sites over a 21-month period.