Characterizing the Racial Discrepancy in Hypoxemia Detection in Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: An Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry Analysis

Andrew Kalra, Christopher Wilcox, Sari D Holmes, Joseph E Tonna, In Seok Jeong, Peter Rycus, Marc M Anders, Akram M Zaaqoq, Roberto Lorusso, Daniel Brodie, Steven P Keller, Bo Soo Kim, Glenn J R Whitman, Sung-Min Cho*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Purpose: Skin pigmentation influences peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO 2) compared to arterial saturation of oxygen (SaO 2). Occult hypoxemia (SaO 2 ≤ 88% with SpO 2 ≥ 92%) is associated with increased in-hospital mortality in venovenous-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) patients. We hypothesized VV-ECMO cannulation, in addition to race/ethnicity, accentuates the SpO 2-SaO 2 discrepancy due to significant hemolysis. Methods: Adults (≥ 18 years) supported with VV-ECMO with concurrently measured SpO 2 and SaO 2 measurements from over 500 centers in the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry (1/2018–5/2023) were included. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to examine whether race/ethnicity was associated with occult hypoxemia in pre-ECMO and on-ECMO SpO 2-SaO 2 calculations. Results: Of 13,171 VV-ECMO patients, there were 7772 (59%) White, 2114 (16%) Hispanic, 1777 (14%) Black, and 1508 (11%) Asian patients. The frequency of on-ECMO occult hypoxemia was 2.0% (N = 233). Occult hypoxemia was more common in Black and Hispanic patients versus White patients (3.1% versus 1.7%, P < 0.001 and 2.5% versus 1.7%, P = 0.025, respectively). In multivariable logistic regression, Black patients were at higher risk of pre-ECMO occult hypoxemia versus White patients (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.18–2.02, P = 0.001). For on-ECMO occult hypoxemia, Black patients (aOR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.16–2.75, P = 0.008) and Hispanic patients (aOR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.15–2.55, P = 0.008) had higher risk versus White patients. Higher pump flow rates (aOR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.08–1.55, P = 0.005) and on-ECMO 24-h lactate (aOR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.03–1.10, P < 0.001) significantly increased the risk of on-ECMO occult hypoxemia. Conclusion: SaO 2 should be carefully monitored if using SpO 2 during ECMO support for Black and Hispanic patients especially for those with high pump flow and lactate values at risk for occult hypoxemia.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)471-481
Number of pages11
JournalLung
Volume202
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2024

Keywords

  • Arterial blood gas
  • Hypoxemia
  • Pulse oximetry
  • Racial/ethnical disparities
  • Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

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