In this episode,  Zack interviews Florian Schmitzberger who just published a fantastic study that incorporates fourteen leaders within the ECPR community to hash out the specific procedural steps associated with ECPR.



 



INCLUSION

• Age <75 years

• Witnessed arrest

• Initial rhythm is shockable rhythm (VF / VT)

• ECPR can be initiated within 60 minutes of the arrest, though a longer interval may be considered circumstantially (e.g. hypothermic arrest)

• Aggressive ICU care consistent with patient wishes

• No prolonged downtime without CPR

• End-tidal CO2 ≥ 10 mmHg (unless pulmonary embolism is suspected)

• Treating physician/surgeon agreement to proceed

EXCLUSION

• Contraindication to anticoagulation

• Cannot perform activities of daily living at baseline

• Advanced comorbidities / known irreversible organ failure

• Advanced COPD or other pulmonary comorbidities

• Metastatic malignancy

• Major stroke or neurologic impairment

• Do-not-resuscitate / Do-not-intubate status



 



The Paper



Schmitzberger FF, Haas NL, Coute RA, Bartos J, Hackmann A, Haft JW, Hsu CH, Hutin A, Lamhaut L, Marinaro J, Nagao K, Nakashima T, Neumar R, Pellegrino V, Shinar Z, Whitmore SP, Yannopoulos D, Peterson WJ. ECPR2: Expert Consensus on PeRcutaneous Cannulation for Extracorporeal CardioPulmonary Resuscitation. Resuscitation. 2022 Oct;179:21 4-220. doi: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2022.07.003. Epub 2022 Jul 8. PMID: 35817270.