Data from: Prognostic value of cerebral tissue oxygen saturation during neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Objectives: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support is indicated in
severe and refractory respiratory or circulatory failures. Neurological
complications are typically represented by acute ischemic or hemorrhagic
lesions, which induce higher morbidity and mortality. The primary goal of
this study was to assess the prognostic value of cerebral tissue oxygen
saturation (StcO2) on mortality in neonates and young infants treated with
ECMO. A secondary objective was to evaluate the association between StcO2
and the occurrence of cerebral lesions. Study Design: This was a
prospective study in infants < 3 months of age admitted to a
pediatric intensive care unit and requiring ECMO support. Measurements:
The assessment of cerebral perfusion was made by continuous StcO2
monitoring using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) sensors placed on the
two temporo-parietal regions. Neurological lesions were identified by MRI
or transfontanellar echography. Results: Thirty-four infants <3
months of age were included in the study over a period of 18 months. The
ECMO duration was 10±7 days. The survival rate was 50% (17/34 patients),
and the proportion of brain injuries was 20% (7/34 patients). The mean
StcO2 during ECMO in the non-survivors was reduced in both hemispheres (p
= 0.0008 right, p = 0.03 left) compared to the survivors. StcO2 was also
reduced in deceased or brain-injured patients compared to the survivors
without brain injury (p = 0.002). Conclusion: StcO2 appears to be a strong
prognostic factor of survival and of the presence of cerebral lesions in
young infants during ECMO.