Utility of cephalic drains in infants receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Abstract

Introduction

The addition of cephalic drains (CDs) in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to augment venous drainage may offer benefit, though their use is varied. Our objective was to describe our institution’s experience with CDs including flow rates and patency. We also compared complication rates between patients with and without a CD.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included infants <12 months of age cannulated for ECMO between January 1, 2010 and September 30, 2019 at a single institution. Flow data were obtained for those with a CD. Demographic and complication rates were obtained for all.

Results

Of 264 patients in the final cohort, 220 (83%) had a CD of which 93.2% remained patent to decannulation. CDs typically provided 30% or more of ECMO flow throughout the ECMO run. The median time to CD clot was 139 h (range 48–635 h). Patients with a clotted CD had longer ECMO runs than those whose CD remained patent (median 382 h [IQR 217–538] vs 139 h [IQR 91–246], p < 0.001). Survival to discharge was lower for those with clotted versus patent CD (14% vs 70%, p < 0.001). Mechanical complications were more common in patients with CD (p = 0.005). Seizures were more common in those without a CD (p = 0.021).

Conclusions

In this cohort, the majority of CDs placed remained patent at decannulation and provided substantial additional venous drainage. Mechanical problems were common in patients with CDs, but without clinical sequelae. Further study is warranted to elucidate CD impact on short- and long-term outcomes.