Outcomes and Prognostic Markers in Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: 10-Year Experience from a Rural Tertiary Care Center

<b>Background:</b> Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (eCPR) is a method for initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass during resuscitation of a patient with refractory cardiac arrest to support end-organ perfusion. This retrospective study evaluates which prognostic markers are seen in patients with poor outcomes who underwent eCPR in our rural tertiary care center. <b>Study Design/Methods:</b> All patients who underwent eCPR at our center from May 2013 to January 2023 were analyzed in a retrospective manner. We then compared outcomes in patients who survived to discharge (survivors) versus those who did not survive to discharge (non-survivors). Demographic factors, body mass index, peak serum lactate in 24 h, initial rhythm, lowest mean arterial pressure within the first six hours, a requirement of renal replacement therapy, and the number of blood transfusions required during the hospitalization were analyzed. <b>Results:</b> 37 patients (24 males and 13 females) with a median age of 58 years (IQR: 48-65) were included. The overall mortality rate was 75.7%, and all survivors had good neurological outcomes, which were defined as Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) scores of 1 or 2. The most significant factors seen in non-survivors were obesity as measured by BMI more than 30 (odds ratio = 7.33; 95% CI 1.40-38.33; <i>p</i> = 0.02), and lowest MAP <65 within the first 6 h despite being on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (0% vs. 74.1%; <i>p</i> = <0.01). <b>Conclusions:</b> This retrospective study demonstrates that initial presentations of patients who underwent eCPR with obesity and MAPS < 65 within the first 6 h despite ECMO support were seen in patients with higher mortality.