Cerebrovascular Complications of COVID-19 on Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Akram M. Zaaqoq*, Matthew J. Griffee, Thu Lan Kelly, Jonathon P. Fanning, Silver Heinsar, Jacky Y. Suen, Silvia Mariani, Gianluigi Li Bassi, Jeffrey P. Jacobs, Nicole White, John F. Fraser, Roberto Lorusso, Giles J. Peek, Sung Min Cho, COVID-19 Critical Care Consortium

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:Evidence of cerebrovascular complications in COVID-19 requiring venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is limited. Our study aims to characterize the prevalence and risk factors of stroke secondary to COVID-19 in patients on venovenous ECMO. DESIGN:We analyzed prospectively collected observational data, using univariable and multivariable survival modeling to identify risk factors for stroke. Cox proportional hazards and Fine-Gray models were used, with death and discharge treated as competing risks. SETTING:Three hundred eighty institutions in 53 countries in the COVID-19 Critical Care Consortium (COVID Critical) registry. PATIENTS:Adult COVID-19 patients who were supported by venovenous ECMO. INTERVENTIONS:None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:Five hundred ninety-five patients (median age [interquartile range], 51 yr [42-59 yr]; male: 70.8%) had venovenous ECMO support. Forty-three patients (7.2%) suffered strokes, 83.7% of which were hemorrhagic. In multivariable survival analysis, obesity (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.19; 95% CI, 1.05-4.59) and use of vasopressors before ECMO (aHR, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.08-5.22) were associated with an increased risk of stroke. Forty-eight-hour post-ECMO Paco(2)-pre-ECMO Paco(2)/pre-ECMO Paco(2) (relative & UDelta;Paco(2)) of negative 26% and 48-hour post-ECMO Pao(2)-pre-ECMO Pao(2)/pre-ECMO Pao(2) (relative & UDelta;Pao(2)) of positive 24% at 48 hours of ECMO initiation were observed in stroke patients in comparison to relative & UDelta;Paco(2) of negative 17% and relative & UDelta;Pao(2) of positive 7% in the nonstroke group. Patients with acute stroke had a 79% in-hospital mortality compared with 45% mortality for stroke-free patients. CONCLUSIONS:Our study highlights the association of obesity and pre-ECMO vasopressor use with the development of stroke in COVID-19 patients on venovenous ECMO. Also, the importance of relative decrease in Paco(2) and moderate hyperoxia within 48 hours after ECMO initiation were additional risk factors.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1043-1053
Number of pages11
JournalCritical Care Medicine
Volume51
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2023

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
  • intracranial hemorrhage
  • severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus
  • stroke
  • venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

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