Protocolized Whole-Body Computed Tomography Imaging After Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Cannulation for Cardiac Arrest

Abstract

Evaluate the utility of whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) imaging in detecting clinically significant findings in patients who have undergone extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) cannulation for cardiac arrest (extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation or "eCPR"). Single-center retrospective review of 52 consecutive patients from 2017 to 2019 who underwent eCPR and received concomitant WBCT imaging. WBCT images were reviewed for clinically significant findings (compression-related injuries, cannulation-related complications, etiology of cardiac arrest, incidental findings, and evidence of hypoxic brain injury) as well as the frequency of interventions performed as a direct result of such findings. Thirty-eight patients met inclusion criteria for analysis. Clinically significant WBCT findings were present in 37/38 (97%) of patients with 3.3 ± 1.7 findings per patient. An intervention as a direct result of WBCT findings was performed in 54% (20/37) of patients with such findings. Evidence of hypoxic brain injury on WBCT was associated with clinical brain death as compared with those without such findings (10/15 [67%] vs 1/22 [4%], P < 0.001), respectively. WBCT scan after eCPR frequently detects clinically significant findings which commonly prompt an intervention directly affecting the patient's clinical course. We advocate for protocolized use of WBCT imaging in all eCPR patients.