Department of Cardiology, Hospital AGEL-Trinec Podlesi a.s., 739 61 Trinec, Czech Republic
Vojtech Weiss
Department of Anesthesiology, Resuscitation and Intensive Medicine, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital, 12 808 Prague, Czech Republic
Petra Kavalkova
2nd Department of Medicine—Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital, 12 808 Prague, Czech Republic
Otakar Jiravsky
Department of Cardiology, Hospital AGEL-Trinec Podlesi a.s., 739 61 Trinec, Czech Republic
Jan Barcak
Department of Cardiology, Hospital AGEL-Trinec Podlesi a.s., 739 61 Trinec, Czech Republic
Jan Belohlavek
2nd Department of Medicine—Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital, 12 808 Prague, Czech Republic
Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is an advanced technique using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to support patients with refractory cardiac arrest. Age significantly influences ECPR outcomes, with younger patients generally experiencing better survival and neurological outcomes due to many aspects. This review explores the impact of age on ECPR effectiveness, emphasizing the need to consider age alongside other clinical factors in patient selection. Survival rates differ notably between in-hospital (IHCA) and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), highlighting the importance of rapid intervention. The potential of artificial intelligence to develop predictive models for ECPR outcomes is discussed, aiming to improve decision-making. Ethical considerations around age-based treatment decisions are also addressed. This review advocates for a balanced approach to ECPR, integrating clinical and ethical perspectives to optimize patient outcomes across all age groups.
