Long-term quality of life after refractory cardiac arrest requiring ECLS: A 10 years single-center analysis

Abstract

Background: Impact of V-A ECMO to treat cardiac arrest on quality of life is unclear. a METHODS: In 2021, all patients treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) of our tertiary university hospital for cardiac arrest requiring V-A ECMO from 2006 to 2018, were contacted by mail and by phone in order to complete an SF-36 form. Quality of life was then compared with reference values (patients with cardiovascular diseases, patients with ischemic heart disease, ICU-survivor patients at 36 months after discharge, and cardiac arrest survivors not treated with V-A ECMO).

Results: Among 45 survivors, 25 patients completed the SF-36 form with a mean time for assessing quality of life of 6.9 ± 2.3 years. Sub-scores were globally comparable with those observed in referent cohorts.

Discussion: Cardiac arrest marks the beginning of a medical journey that includes intensive care management and the onset of cardiac disease, often of ischemic origin. Our data suggest that quality of life of patients treated with V-A ECMO for cardiac arrest is comparable to those reported in referent cohorts (ICU-survivors, patients with cardiovascular diseases of ischemic heart disease, and cardiac arrest survivors not treated with mechanical circulatory support).

Conclusion: Survivor patients who experienced cardiac arrest and treated with V-A ECMO presented a good long-term quality of life. Decision regarding V-A ECMO implantation should not be limited by concerns about patients' future quality of life.

Keywords: Cardiac arrest; Extracorporeal life support; Intensive care; Quality of life; Veno-arterial ECMO.