Outcomes of Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy patients needing Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation - Extra corporeal life support organization (ELSO) database analysis

Abstract

Background: Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in its moderate to severe form is treated with therapeutic hypothermia (TH) with trials showing significant improvement in the mortality and neuro-outcomes. Pulmonary hypertension complicates the clinical course of up to10-25% of these patients with HIE. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) improves survival in pulmonary hypertension but its use is controversial in HIE as “irreversible brain damage” is a contraindication per Extra corporeal life support organization (ELSO) guidelines. The inability to predict neuro-outcomes in HIE patients has led …