Association Between Body Mass Index and Outcomes in Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Abstract

Despite potential challenges to cannulation and maintaining adequate flow during ECMO, this single centered, retrospective observational study did not detect association between BMI and survival to ECMO decannulation, 30-day survival, or survival to hospital discharge for patients requiring VA-ECMO for refractory cardiogenic shock. These data suggest that obesity alone should not exclude candidacy for VA-ECMO.The primary outcome in this retrospective study was survival of the ECMO therapy (survival to ECMO decannulation), defined as surviving >24 hours after decannulation without a withdrawal of care. Secondary outcomes included survival at 30 days and survival to hospital discharge.