体外心肺复苏技术在成人心搏骤停抢救中的应用

目的 回顾性总结应用体外心肺复苏(E-CPR)技术救治成人心搏骤停患者的临床经验.方法 2005年7月至2009年7月,有11例心源性心搏骤停成人患者(男7例,女4例,年龄24～71岁)经常规心肺复苏(CPR)抢救10～15 min无法有效恢复自主循环,而采用E-CPR技术抢救.7例心脏手术后患者在CPR抢救同时自原胸骨切口先建立升主动脉-右心房常规体外循环辅助,再转为体外膜肺氧合(ECMO)辅助;4例患者在CPR抢救同时直接经股动、静脉置管建立ECMO辅助.结果 11例患者CPR时间30～90 min,平均(51±14)min,10例患者可恢复自主心律.11例患者ECMO辅助时间2～223 h,中位时间126 h.6例患者成功撤离ECMO辅助,但存活出院率为36.4%(4/11).2例患者在ECMO辅助的同时加用主动脉内球囊反搏术(IABP),1例存活.3例患者因合并肾功能衰竭而需血液滤过治疗.结论 E-CPR为抢救危重的心搏骤停患者提供了一个新的手段.如何有效评估和选择病例,及时开始救治以提高成功率,值得进一步研究.     

A 5-year experience with cardiopulmonary resuscitation using extracorporeal life support in non-postcardiotomy patients with cardiac arrest

Background

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) using extracorporeal life support (ECLS) system has been successfully used to support patients with in- and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA, OHCA) when conventional measures have failed. The purpose of the current study is to report on our experience with extracorporeal CPR in non-postcardiotomy patients.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed a total of 85 consecutive adult patients, who have been treated with ECLS between January 2007 and January 2012.

Results

The mean CPR duration was 40 min (20–70 min). The mean ECLS support duration was 49 h (12–92 h). Twenty-eight patients (33%) had ECLS related complications. Forty patients (47%) were successfully weaned and 29 patients (34%) survived to hospital discharge. Among survivors, 93% were without severe neurologic deficit. Duration of CPR was shorter for survivors than for non-survivors [(25: 20–50 min) vs. (50: 25–86 min); p = 0.003]. Immediately after ECLS start, the mean blood lactate level was lower (p = 0.003), and the mean pH value was higher in the survivors’ group (p < 0.0001) compared to the non-survivors’ group. The CPR duration for the IHCA group (25: 20–50 min) was shorter compared to the OHCA group (70: 55–110 min; p < 0.0001). The survival rate in this group was higher compared to the OHCA group (42% vs. 15%; p < 0.02).

Conclusions

CPR using modern miniaturized ECLS systems should be established in the treatment of prolonged cardiac arrest and unsuccessful conventional CPR in selected patients. CPR with ECLS for OHCA has worse outcomes compared to IHCA. Duration of CPR was independent risk factor for mortality after extracorporeal CPR.     

Eleven years of experience with extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation for paediatric patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest

Purpose

The study aims to describe 11 years of experience with extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) for in-hospital paediatric cardiac arrest in a university affiliated tertiary care hospital.

Methods

Paediatric patients who received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) during active extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) at our centre from 1999 to 2009 were included in this retrospective study. The results from three different cohorts (1999–2001, 2002–2005 and 2006–2009) were compared. Survival rates and neurological outcomes were analysed. Favourable neurological outcome was defined as paediatric cerebral performance categories (PCPC) 1, 2 and 3.

Results

We identified 54 ECPR events. The survival rate to hospital discharge was 46% (25/54), and 21 (84%) of the survivors had favourable neurological outcomes.The duration of CPR was 39 ± 17 min in the survivors and 52 ± 45 min in the non-survivors (p = NS). The patients with pure cardiac causes of cardiac arrest had a survival rate similar to patients with non-cardiac causes (47% (18/38) vs. 44% (7/16), p = NS).The non-survivors had higher serum lactate levels prior to ECPR (13.4 ± 6.4 vs. 8.8 ± 5.1 mmol/L, p < 0.01) and more renal failure after ECPR (66% (19/29) vs. 20% (5/25), p < 0.01).The patients resuscitated between 2006 and 2009 had shorter durations of CPR (34 ± 13 vs. 78 ± 76 min, p = 0.032) and higher rates of survival (55% (16/29) vs. 0% (0/8), p = 0.017) than those resuscitated between 1999 and 2002.

Conclusions

In our single-centre experience with ECPR for paediatric in-hospital cardiac arrest, the duration of CPR has become shorter and outcomes have improved in recent years. Higher pre-ECPR lactate levels and the presence of post-ECPR renal failure were associated with increased mortality. The presence of non-cardiac causes of cardiac arrest did not preclude successful ECPR outcomes. The duration of CPR was not significantly associated with poor outcomes in this study.     

Successful extracorporeal life support in cardiac arrest with recurrent ventricular fibrillation unresponsive to standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Extracorporeal life support has been used as an extension of conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). However, the appropriate indications for extracorporeal CPR (ECPR) including the duration of CPR are unknown. We present a case of a male, 37-year-old out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patient who received prolonged CPR followed by ECPR. Despite advanced cardiac life support, he did not regain a sustained spontaneous circulation and had recurrent ventricular fibrillation (VF) during the prolonged CPR. VF was unresponsive to CPR, defibrillation, adrenaline (epinephrine), and antiarrhythmics. The CPR time before ECPR was approximately 2h. During extracorporeal life support, the VF did not recur and percutaneous coronary angioplasty was achieved. Ultimately, the patient was discharged without neurological complications. Although cardiac arrest occurred out-of-hospital and CPR was performed for a long time, a patient might be a candidate for ECPR if perfusing rhythms are restored transiently but not successfully maintained due to recurrent VF. ECPR may be used for VF unresponsive to standard CPR techniques.     

Managing cardiac arrest with refractory ventricular fibrillation in the emergency department: Conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation versus extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation

AimRefractory ventricular fibrillation, resistant to conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), is a life threatening rhythm encountered in the emergency department. Although previous reports suggest the use of extracorporeal CPR can improve the clinical outcomes in patients with prolonged cardiac arrest, the effectiveness of this novel strategy for refractory ventricular fibrillation is not known. We aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of patients with refractory ventricular fibrillation managed with conventional CPR or extracorporeal CPR in our institution.MethodThis is a retrospective chart review study from an emergency department in a tertiary referral medical center. We identified 209 patients presenting with cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation between September 2011 and September 2013. Of these, 60 patients were enrolled with ventricular fibrillation refractory to resuscitation for more than 10 min. The clinical outcome of patients with ventricular fibrillation received either conventional CPR, including defibrillation, chest compression, and resuscitative medication (C-CPR, n = 40) or CPR plus extracorporeal CPR (E-CPR, n = 20) were compared.ResultsThe overall survival rate was 35%, and 18.3% of patients were discharged with good neurological function. The mean duration of CPR was longer in the E-CPR group than in the C-CPR group (69.90 ± 49.6 min vs 34.3 ± 17.7 min, p = 0.0001). Patients receiving E-CPR had significantly higher rates of sustained return of spontaneous circulation (95.0% vs 47.5%, p = 0.0009), and good neurological function at discharge (40.0% vs 7.5%, p = 0.0067). The survival rate in the E-CPR group was higher (50% vs 27.5%, p = 0.1512) at discharge and (50% vs 20%, p = 0. 0998) at 1 year after discharge.ConclusionsThe management of refractory ventricular fibrillation in the emergency department remains challenging, as evidenced by an overall survival rate of 35% in this study. Patients with refractory ventricular fibrillation receiving E-CPR had a trend toward higher survival rates and significantly improved neurological outcomes than those receiving C-CPR.     

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation for adult cardiac arrest patients

Cardiac arrest is a major cause of unexpected death in developed countries, and patients with cardiac arrest generally have a poor prognosis. Despite the use of conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), few patients could achieve return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Even if ROSC was achieved, some patients showed re-arrest and many survivors were unable to fully resume their former lifestyles because of severe neurological deficits. Safar et al reported the effectiveness of emergency cardiopulmonary bypass in an animal model and discussed the possibility of employing cardiopulmonary bypass as a CPR method. Because of progress in medical engineering, the system of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) became small and portable, and it became easy to perform circulatory support in cardiac arrest or shock patients. Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) has been reported to be superior to conventional CPR in in-hospital cardiac arrest patients. Veno- arterial ECMO is generally performed in emergency settings and it can be used to perform ECPR in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Although there is no sufficient evidence to support the efficacy of ECPR in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, encouraging results have been obtained in small case series.     

体外心肺复苏启动前因素对患者预后的影响

目的:分析体外心肺复苏（extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation,ECPR）启动前因素对患者预后的影响,以探讨ECPR的干预时机和改进策略。方法:回顾性分析2018年7月至2021年4月在湖南师范大学附属第一医院（湖南省人民医院）行ECPR的29例患者。按患者是否存活出院分为生存组( n=13)及死亡组( n=16),分析两组常规心肺复苏（conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation,CCPR）时间（开始心肺复苏到体外膜肺氧合运转的时间）、ECPR前初始心律、院外及院内心搏骤停的构成比、外院转运病例构成比。按CCPR时间分为≤45 min组、45~60 min组及>60 min组分别比较其出院存活率及持续自主循环恢复（sustained return of spontaneous circulation,ROSC）率。本院院内心搏骤停患者按心搏骤停（cardiac arrest,CA）发生地点分为本科室亚组和其他科室亚组,比较其存活率。 结果:29例患者总体生存率44.83%,体外膜肺氧合（extracorporeal membrane oxygenation,ECMO）平均辅助时长114（33.5,142.5） h,CCPR平均时长60（44.5,80） min。生存组ECMO辅助时间（140.15±44.80）h较死亡组长（ P=0.001）,生存组CCPR时间明显低于死亡组（ P=0.010）。初始心律为可除颤心律组生存率更高（ P=0.010）。OHCA较IHCA患者病死率高（ P=0.020）。外院转运病例病死率高于本院病例（ P=0.025）。CCPR时间≤45min、45~60 min、>60 min三组患者出院生存率依次递减（ P=0.001）,ROSC率依次递减（ P=0.001)。本院院内心搏骤停患者,CA发生地点在本科室（急诊医学科）组与其他科室组生存率差异无统计学意义（ P=0.54）。 结论:ECPR出院存活率高于国内外报道的CCPR存活率,ECPR对难治性心搏骤停是有效的。ECPR的预后跟CCPR时间、CA初始心律、CA发生地点明显相关,提高ECPR存活率需加强宣教及团队建设。     

体外膜肺氧合在抢救危重心脏病患者心搏骤停中的作用

目的观察体外膜肺氧合对危重心脏患者心搏骤停后常规心肺复苏困难者的治疗效果。方法本院自2005年9月至2006年5月行体外膜肺氧合(ECMO)治疗危重心脏病患者37例,回顾性分析其中11例发生心搏骤停实施常规心肺复苏无效或复苏后持续低心排而行ECMO循环辅助患者的病历资料。结果5例为心脏术后患者,其中3例心肺复苏(CPR)的同时紧急建立体外循环再次手术,之后因低心排而行ECMO。7例患者床旁建立ECMO,ECMO支持治疗(134．0±113．0)h。8例顺利停机,6例存活出院,其中2例经心脏移植后出院。3例不能顺利脱机者由于ECMO辅助期间循环功能恶化,并最终死于多器官功能衰竭。ECMO期间出现的并发症包括出血、神经精神系统异常、肢体缺血坏死和多脏器功能不全。结论ECMO可以为心搏骤停的患者提供最快的心肺功能支持,为赢得抢救时机和提高抢救质量提供了又一途径,在危重患者心肺复苏中具有良好的疗效。     

体外膜肺氧合治疗用于心肺复苏的临床研究

目的 总结体外膜肺氧合（ECMO）治疗对于常规心肺复苏（CPR）困难患者的临床治疗经验。方法 自2005-09-2006-05我院进行ECMO治疗37例患者，其中11例心脏骤停后实施电除颤和心脏按压等CPR措施无效或自主循环恢复后持续低心排而行ECMO循环辅助。结果 8例顺利停机，6例存活恢复出院，其中2例行心脏移植后康复出院。3例不能顺利撤机者在ECMO辅助期间由于循环功能恶化，最终因多器官功能衰竭死亡。顺利撤机和存活出院的患者治疗前乳酸水平较低。ECMO治疗后乳酸清除率较快（P〈0．05）。ECMO期间出现的并发症包括出血、神经精神系统异常、肢体缺血坏死和多脏器功能不全。4例患者因膜肺出现血浆渗漏而更换膜肺。结论 ECMO可为危重心脏病患者心脏骤停后复苏困难时提供心肺功能支持，提高危重心脏病患者CPR的存活率。CPR后动脉血乳酸值和ECMO治疗后乳酸清除率可以预测患者预后。     

Comparison of extracorporeal and conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation: A meta-analysis of 2 260 patients with cardiac arrest

BACKGROUND: This meta-analysis aimed to determine whether extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR), compared with conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CCPR), improves outcomes in adult patients with cardiac arrest (CA).     

Full recovery of an avalanche victim with profound hypothermia and prolonged cardiac arrest treated by extracorporeal re-warming

Survival of hypothermic avalanche victims with cardiac arrest is rare. This report describes full recovery of a 29-year-old backcountry skier completely buried for 100 min at 3.0m (9.8 ft) depth. On extrication he was unconscious, but breathing spontaneously into an air pocket; core body temperature measured 22.0 degrees C (71.6 degrees F). He was intubated and ventilated on site. Ventricular fibrillation commenced during helicopter transportation, whereby chest compression was lacking for 15 min. At the nearest hospital continuous cardiopulmonary resuscitation was initiated, but defibrillation failed. Tympanic core body temperature measurement confirmed life-threatening hypothermia of 21.7 degrees C (71.1 degrees F) and serum K(+) was 4.3 mmol/l, necessitating transferral to a hospital with cardiopulmonary bypass facilities. Defibrillation finally succeeded following re-warming, by femoral veno-arterial bypass, to 34.5 degrees C (94.1 degrees F). Total duration of cardiac arrest was 150 min. The patient developed pulmonary oedema, treated by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, but progressed well and was discharged from hospital on day 17, fit to resume professional and social activities. Follow-up cerebral magnetic resonance imaging 2 years after avalanche burial demonstrated only minimal changes attributable to unrelated, prior cranial trauma. Extensive neurological and psychological investigations gave excellent results. This report confirms previous literature that an air pocket with patent airways is essential for survival of a completely buried avalanche victim after 35 min and endorses the recommended management strategies of the International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine ICAR MEDCOM. In particular, all hypothermic victims extricated with an air pocket and free airways must be treated optimistically, even despite prolonged cardiac arrest. This remarkable case documents the fastest drop in core temperature ever recorded during snow burial, namely 9.0 degrees C (16.2 degrees F)/h, and the second-lowest reversible core temperature in avalanche literature.     

Extracorporeal life support as rescue strategy for out-of-hospital and emergency department cardiac arrest

Background

Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) has been utilized as a rescue strategy for patients with cardiac arrest unresponsive to conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Objective

We sought to describe our institution's experience with implementation of ECLS for out-of-hospital and emergency department (ED) cardiac arrests. Our primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge.

Methods

Consecutive patients placed on ECLS in the ED or within one hour of admission after out-of-hospital or ED cardiac arrest were enrolled at two urban academic medical centers in the United States from July 2007–April 2014.

Results

During the study period, 26 patients were included. Average age was 40 ± 15 years, 54% were male, and 42% were white. Initial cardiac rhythms were ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia in 42%. The average time from initial cardiac arrest to initiation of ECLS was 77 ± 51 min (range 12–180 min). ECLS cannulation was unsuccessful in two patients. Eighteen (69%) had complications related to ECLS, most commonly bleeding and ischemic events. Four patients (15%) survived to discharge, three of whom were neurologically intact at 6 months.

Conclusion

ECLS shows promise as a rescue strategy for refractory out-of-hospital or ED cardiac arrest but is not without challenges. Further investigations are necessary to refine the technique, patient selection, and ancillary therapeutics.     

体外膜肺氧合在心肺脑复苏中的应用

目的 探讨体外膜肺氧合(extlacorporeal membrane oxygenation,ECMO)在心脏骤停患者中的治疗作用及应用价值.方法 回顾分析2002年6月至2007年6月期间,本院急诊和重症监护室应用体外膜肺氧合(ECMO)治疗的心脏骤停15例患者,按照美国心脏学会<2005年心肺复苏和心血管急救国际指南>的标准诊治方案进行救治,同时行体外膜肺氧合(ECMO)治疗.采用治疗前后自身对照的方法,监测ECMO治疗前、ECMO治疗后10 min、1 h、6 h、12 h、24 h,患者的心率、平均动脉压、中心静脉压(eve);并抽取桡动脉血检测动脉血氧分压、二氧化碳分压、血氧饱和度、酸碱度、动脉血乳酸含量等指标;统计数据以((x)±s)表示,采用SPSS 10.0统计软件包进行t检验,以P<0.05为差异具有统计学意义;同时就患者的神经性后遗症进行了观察和描述.结果 平均动脉压在ECMO治疗后10min比ECMO治疗前明显升高(P<0.01),ECMO治疗后1 h比ECMO治疗后10 min有所升高(P<0.05);CVP在ECMO治疗后10 min比ECMO治疗前,ECMO治疗后1 h比ECMO治疗后10 min有所降低(P<0.05);经ECMO治疗后10 min动脉血氧分压、血氧饱和度较ECMO治疗前明显上升(P<0.01),pH明显升高(P<0.01),动脉血乳酸含量明显降低(P<0.01).15例患者中,11例康复出院,其中5例完全康复,没有后遗症,2例有部分记忆障碍,无躯体后遗症;2例有精神障碍,2例有肢体偏瘫.结论 ECMO治疗可辅助心脏维持有效的血液循环,明显改善低氧血症,为大脑提供稳定的氧合血灌流,对心肺脑复苏有利.     

体外膜肺氧合心肺复苏患者死亡的危险因素

目的:分析体外膜肺氧合心肺复苏（extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation, ECPR）死亡患者的临床特征,探索该类患者死亡相关的危险因素。方法:回顾性分析2014年9月至2019年9月收住本院及杭州市第一人民医院接受体外心肺复苏的60例心搏骤停患者的临床资料。将患者分为存...     

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A review of the Japanese literature

Aim

Although favourable outcomes in patients receiving extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest have been frequently reported in Japanese journals since the late 1980s, there has been no meta-analysis of ECPR in Japan. This study reviewed and analysed all previous studies in Japan to clarify the survival rate of patients receiving ECPR.

Material and methods

Case reports, case series and abstracts of scientific meetings of ECPR for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest written in Japanese between 1983 and 2008 were collected. The characteristics and outcomes of patients were investigated, and the influence of publication bias of the case-series studies was examined by the funnel-plot method.

Results

There were 1282 out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients, who received ECPR in 105 reports during the period. The survival rate at discharge given for 516 cases was 26.7 ± 1.4%. The funnel plot presented the relationship between the number of cases of each report and the survival rate at discharge as the reverse-funnel type that centred on the average survival rate. In-depth review of 139 cases found that the rates of good recovery, mild disability, severe disability, vegetative state, death at hospital discharge and non-recorded in all cases were 48.2%, 2.9%, 2.2%, 2.9%, 37.4% and 6.4%, respectively.

Conclusions

Based on the results of previous reports with low publication bias in Japan, ECPR appears to provide a higher survival rate with excellent neurological outcome in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.     

Resuscitative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for in hospital cardiac arrest: A Canadian observational experience

Background

Among patients with reversible conditions who sustain cardiac arrest, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) may support end organ perfusion while bridging to definitive therapy.

Methods

A single center retrospective review (February 2008–September 2013) of adults receiving ECMO for cardiac arrest ≥15 min duration refractory to conventional management (E-CPR) or profound cardiogenic shock following IHCA (E-CS) was conducted. The primary outcome was 30-day survival with good neurologic function defined as a cerebral performance category (CPC) of 1–2. Secondary outcomes included intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of say, duration of mechanical ventilation, and univariate predictors of 30-day survival with favorable neurologic function.

Results

Thirty-two patients (55 ± 11 years, 66% male) were included of which 22 (69%) received E-CPR and 10 (31%) received E-CS following return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Cardiac arrest duration was 48.8 ± 21 min for those receiving E-CPR and 25 ± 23 min for the E-CS group. Patients received ECMO support for 70.7 ± 47.6 h. Death on ECMO support occurred in 7 (21.9%) patients, while 7 (21.9%) were bridged to another form of mechanical circulatory support, and 18 (56.3%) were successfully decannulated. ICU length of stay was 7.5 [3.3–14] days and ICU survival occurred in 16 (50%) of patients. 30-Day survival was 5 (50%) in the E-CS group, 10 (45.4%) in the E-CPR group, and 15 (47%) overall. All survivors had CPC 1–2 neurologic status.

Conclusion

In this single center experience, the use of resuscitative ECMO was associated with neurologically favorable 30-day survival in 47% of patients with prolonged IHCA (H2012:172).     

Impact of rapid response car system on ECMO in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A retrospective cohort study

Introduction

Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) has been reported to be more effective than conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). In ECLS, a shorter time from arrival to implantation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO; door-to-ECMO) time was predicted to be associated with better survival rates. This study aimed to examine the impact of the physician-based emergency medical services (P-EMS) using a rapid response car (RRC) on door-to-ECMO time in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

Emergency feasibility in medical intensive care unit of extracorporeal life support for refractory cardiac arrest

Objective To report the feasibility, complications, and outcomes of emergency extracorporeal life support (ECLS) in refractory cardiac arrests in medical intensive care unit (ICU). Design and setting Prospective cohort study in the medical ICU in a university hospital in collaboration with the cardiosurgical team of a neighboring hospital. Patients Seventeen patients (poisonings: 12/17) admitted over a 2-year period for cardiac arrest unresponsive to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and advanced cardiac life support, without return of spontaneous circulation. Interventions ECLS femoral implantation under continuous cardiac massage, using a centrifugal pump connected to a hollow-fiber membrane oxygenator. Measurements and results Stable ECLS was achieved in 14 of 17 patients. Early complications included massive transfusions (n = 8) and the need for surgical revision at the cannulation site for bleeding (n = 1). Four patients (24%) survived at medical ICU discharge. Deaths resulted from multiorgan failure (n = 8), thoracic bleeding (n = 2), severe sepsis (n = 2), and brain death (n = 1). Massive hemorrhagic pulmonary edema during CPR (n = 5) and major capillary leak syndrome (n = 6) were observed. Three cardiotoxic-poisoned patients (18%, CPR duration: 30, 100, and 180 min) were alive at 1-year follow-up without sequelae. Two of these patients survived despite elevated plasma lactate concentrations before cannulation (39.0 and 20.0 mmol/l). ECLS was associated with a significantly lower ICU mortality rate than that expected from the Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (91.9%) and lower than the maximum Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (> 90%). Conclusions Emergency ECLS is feasible in medical ICU and should be considered as a resuscitative tool for selected patients suffering from refractory cardiac arrest. This article is discussed in the editorial available at: