Daily Ards Research Analysis
A nationwide prospective study of 6,374 ECPR cases across 939 hospitals in China identifies disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) as a consistent mortality risk and reveals distinct risk profiles for in-hospital vs. out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. A single-center retrospective cohort in severe ARDS on VV ECMO suggests prone positioning does not significantly increase bleeding risk compared to supine, though overall hemorrhage— including intracranial hemorrhage—remains frequent.
Summary
A nationwide prospective study of 6,374 ECPR cases across 939 hospitals in China identifies disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) as a consistent mortality risk and reveals distinct risk profiles for in-hospital vs. out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. A single-center retrospective cohort in severe ARDS on VV ECMO suggests prone positioning does not significantly increase bleeding risk compared to supine, though overall hemorrhage— including intracranial hemorrhage—remains frequent.
Research Themes
- ECPR risk stratification and prognostic factors
- Socioeconomic disparities in cardiac arrest outcomes
- Bleeding safety during prone positioning on VV ECMO in severe ARDS
Selected Articles
1. Risk factors and outcome of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and in-hospital cardiac arrest: a nationwide prospective and observational study of 939 hospitals in China.
In a prospective nationwide ECPR cohort (n=6,374), DIC consistently predicted in-hospital mortality, with divergent risk patterns by arrest setting: ARDS, sepsis, and renal failure were risks in IHCA, while in OHCA, hypertension and DIC dominated and ARDS appeared protective in adjusted models. Findings highlight socioeconomic disparities (lower GDP regions) and support using DIC for risk stratification.
Impact: This is one of the largest prospective ECPR datasets, delineating setting-specific prognostic factors and elevating DIC as a practical screening marker to inform triage and resource allocation.
Clinical Implications: Use DIC and arrest-setting-specific predictors to refine ECPR candidacy and early management; prioritize systems-level interventions in lower-GDP regions and monitor high-risk comorbidities (sepsis, renal failure) in IHCA.
Key Findings
- Nationwide prospective cohort across 939 hospitals identified 6,374 ECPR cases (OHCA 1,465; IHCA 4,909).
- In IHCA, independent mortality risks included age ≥60, lower GDP regions, ARDS, sepsis, electrolyte disturbance, hypertension, acute renal failure, and DIC; female sex, arrhythmia, myocarditis, and acute heart failure were protective.
- In OHCA, lower GDP regions, hypertension, and DIC were risks, while arrhythmia, myocarditis, ARDS, and acute heart failure were protective in adjusted models.
- DIC is emphasized as a screening indicator for risk stratification despite unclear mechanisms.
Methodological Strengths
- Prospective nationwide design across 939 tertiary hospitals
- Large sample size with stratified multivariable modeling by arrest setting
Limitations
- Observational design with potential residual confounding and heterogeneity in ECPR indications/protocols
- Limited granularity on neurological outcomes and post-resuscitation care
Future Directions: Validate DIC-based risk stratification in external cohorts; explore causal pathways and intervention strategies, particularly for disparities tied to regional GDP.
BACKGROUND: Sudden cardiac arrest represents a global health challenge characterized by high mortality and morbidity rates. Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is increasingly considered as an effective treatment for cardiac arrest; however, its application remains a subject of debate. Furthermore, limited studies have analysed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) populations within the same context. METHODS: This study involved the selection of patients who experienced cardiac arrests and were supported by ECPR in 939 tertiary hospitals across 31 provinces between 2016 and 2021. The data was derived from the ECMO Quality Improvement Project. RESULTS: Among the 939 tertiary hospitals, a total of 6374 patients who had cardiac arrest events were identified, categorized as OHCA (1465) and IHCA (4909). Survivors in the IHCA group were comparatively younger (50 [IQR: 33-62] vs. 53 [IQR: 38-64], p < 0.001) and more likely to be female (34.2% vs. 29.8%, p < 0.05), while in the OHCA group, survivor characteristics remained similar. Multivariable modelling indicated that in the IHCA group, age ≥ 60, regions with lower GDP, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), sepsis, electrolyte disturbance, hypertension, acute renal failure, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) were identified as independent risk factors associated with hospital mortality. Conversely, being female, experiencing arrhythmia, myocarditis, and acute heart failure were identified as protective factors. In the OHCA group, independent risk factors included regions with lower GDP, hypertension, and DIC, while arrhythmia, myocarditis, ARDS, and acute heart failure were protective factors. CONCLUSIONS: This nationwide prospective observational study provides insights into the utilization of ECPR among patients experiencing OHCA and IHCA. It also underscores the disparity in risk factors and outcomes between OHCA and IHCA populations, indicating differences in clinical practices. Notably, DIC is recognized as a risk factor associated with mortality. Although the exact mechanism remains unclear, it is recommended as a screening indicator for risk stratification. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.
2. Risk factors and outcome of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and in-hospital cardiac arrest: a nationwide prospective and observational study of 939 hospitals in China.
Subgroup-focused insights from the same nationwide ECPR cohort emphasize setting-specific predictors: IHCA mortality is linked to ARDS, sepsis, renal failure, and older age, whereas in OHCA, hypertension and DIC predominate and ARDS appears protective. These differences suggest tailored triage and management pathways for OHCA vs. IHCA.
Impact: Clarifies clinically actionable differences between OHCA and IHCA in ECPR, enabling setting-specific risk stratification beyond aggregate models.
Clinical Implications: Develop separate triage algorithms for OHCA vs IHCA ECPR candidates; in OHCA, prioritize control of hypertension and early detection of DIC, while in IHCA, aggressively manage ARDS/sepsis/renal failure and consider age-related risks.
Key Findings
- Distinct predictors by setting: ARDS, sepsis, and acute renal failure associate with IHCA mortality; hypertension and DIC dominate OHCA risk.
- Female sex is protective in IHCA, while ARDS shows a protective association in OHCA after adjustment.
- Regional economic status (lower GDP) adversely impacts outcomes in both settings.
Methodological Strengths
- Pre-specified stratification by arrest setting with multivariable adjustment
- Large, prospective registry enabling subgroup insights
Limitations
- Potential misclassification and center-level variability in data capture and ECPR protocols
- Observational design limits causal inference of protective/risk associations
Future Directions: Prospectively validate separate triage tools for OHCA vs IHCA; investigate why ARDS appears protective in OHCA models and assess modifiable system factors in low-GDP regions.
BACKGROUND: Sudden cardiac arrest represents a global health challenge characterized by high mortality and morbidity rates. Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is increasingly considered as an effective treatment for cardiac arrest; however, its application remains a subject of debate. Furthermore, limited studies have analysed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) populations within the same context. METHODS: This study involved the selection of patients who experienced cardiac arrests and were supported by ECPR in 939 tertiary hospitals across 31 provinces between 2016 and 2021. The data was derived from the ECMO Quality Improvement Project. RESULTS: Among the 939 tertiary hospitals, a total of 6374 patients who had cardiac arrest events were identified, categorized as OHCA (1465) and IHCA (4909). Survivors in the IHCA group were comparatively younger (50 [IQR: 33-62] vs. 53 [IQR: 38-64], p < 0.001) and more likely to be female (34.2% vs. 29.8%, p < 0.05), while in the OHCA group, survivor characteristics remained similar. Multivariable modelling indicated that in the IHCA group, age ≥ 60, regions with lower GDP, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), sepsis, electrolyte disturbance, hypertension, acute renal failure, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) were identified as independent risk factors associated with hospital mortality. Conversely, being female, experiencing arrhythmia, myocarditis, and acute heart failure were identified as protective factors. In the OHCA group, independent risk factors included regions with lower GDP, hypertension, and DIC, while arrhythmia, myocarditis, ARDS, and acute heart failure were protective factors. CONCLUSIONS: This nationwide prospective observational study provides insights into the utilization of ECPR among patients experiencing OHCA and IHCA. It also underscores the disparity in risk factors and outcomes between OHCA and IHCA populations, indicating differences in clinical practices. Notably, DIC is recognized as a risk factor associated with mortality. Although the exact mechanism remains unclear, it is recommended as a screening indicator for risk stratification. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.
3. Prone positioning and bleeding risk during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in severe ARDS patients.
In 136 severe ARDS patients on VV ECMO, prone positioning was associated with a numerically higher but not statistically significant increase in bleeding versus supine (RR 1.11; 95% CI 0.81–1.52). Major bleeding, including 14 intracranial hemorrhages, was common, underscoring the need for vigilant anticoagulation and monitoring.
Impact: Addresses a practical safety question in severe ARDS management on VV ECMO, informing bedside decisions about prone positioning under anticoagulation.
Clinical Implications: Prone positioning may be used without a major increase in bleeding risk compared to supine during VV ECMO, but the high overall hemorrhage rate—including intracranial hemorrhage—requires individualized anticoagulation and meticulous bleeding surveillance.
Key Findings
- Single-center retrospective cohort of 136 severe ARDS patients on VV ECMO (85 prone, 51 supine).
- Overall bleeding in 58% of patients; 43 major bleeding events, including 14 intracranial hemorrhages.
- Prone vs. supine bleeding risk: RR 1.11 (95% CI 0.81–1.52), suggesting no statistically significant difference.
Methodological Strengths
- Systematic registry-based data collection over an 11-year period
- Use of incidence rate ratios and time-to-event methods (Kaplan–Meier, log-rank)
Limitations
- Single-center retrospective design with potential selection and confounding biases
- Limited power for subgroup analyses and incomplete reporting of all bleeding predictors
Future Directions: Conduct multicenter prospective studies to quantify bleeding risks of prone positioning under standardized anticoagulation protocols and identify modifiable predictors.
PurposeTo assess whether prone positioning (PP) increases bleeding risk compared to supine positioning in ARDS patients undergoing veno venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (VV ECMO).Materials and MethodsA single-center retrospective observational study was conducted between January 2012 and March 2023. Data were systematically collected from an institutional ECMO registry, including baseline characteristics, daily variables, bleeding events, and outcomes. We compared the relative risk (RR) and incidence rate ratio (IRR) of bleeding between 'Prone' and 'Supine' patients. Bleeding-free days were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves and the Log-Rank test.ResultsWe included 136 consecutive severe ARDS patients undergoing VV ECMO (65% male, age 52 ± 11, 53% bacterial pneumonia), with 85 (62%) and 51 (38%) in the 'Prone' and 'Supine' group respectively. Bleeding occurred in 79 (58%) patients, with 43 of these being major bleeding events, including 14 intracranial hemorrhages. Fifty-two (61%) 'Prone' patients versus 27 (53%) 'Supine' patients had bleeding (RR 1.11 (95% CI: 0.81-1.52),