Assessing Clinical Feasibility and Safety of Percutaneous Dilatational Tracheostomy During Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support in the Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Purpose A tracheostomy is often used to wean patients off the ventilator, as it helps maintain extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) without sedation. A percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) performed in critically ill patients is widely accepted, however, its feasibility and safety in ECMO is unclear. Methods This retrospective observational study included 78 patients who underwent a PDT and ECMO at the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) in a tertiary hospital between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2019. We analyzed their medical records, including PDT-related complications and clinical variables. Results The median values of hemoglobin, platelet count, international normalized ratio, partial thromboplastin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time before the tracheostomy were 9.2 (8.5–10.2) g/dL, 81 (56–103) × 103/dL, 1.22 (1.13–1.30), 15.2 (14.3–16.1) seconds, and 55.1 (47.4–61.1) seconds, respectively. No clotting was observed within the extracorporeal circuit, however, minimal bleeding was observed at the tracheostomy site in 10 (12.8%) patients. Of 4 patients with major bleeding, local hemorrhage was controlled in 3 patients, and intratracheal bleeding continued in 1 patient. The mortality rate was 60.9% and 57.1% in the complication and no-complication group, respectively. The durations of SICU stay, hospital stay, and mechanical ventilation were not statistically different between the groups. Conclusion A PDT performed in critically ill patients was associated with a low rate of bleeding. Complications did not appear to significantly affect the patient outcome. PDT can be performed in patients who usually require a tracheostomy to maintain ECMO.

Keywords

• extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
• safety
• tracheostomy