Incidence of nosocomial infections in adult patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Introduction: Critically ill patients requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are at increased risk for developing nosocomial infections owing to their underlying disease process along with numerous invasive monitoring devices.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the rate, type, pathogens, outcomes, and risk factors of nosocomial infections that developed during adult patients on ECMO at our institution from 2012-2015.

Results: Compared to current ELSO reported adult nosocomial infections rate of 20.5%, we report our rate of 26% (CI 17.2%-34.7%). No significant differences were observed in mortality (42.3% vs. 36.5%; p=0.598), and presence of either antibiotics prior to ECMO (57.7% vs. 56.7%; p=0.934) or culture-proven infection prior to ECMO (19.2% vs. 32.4%; p=0.201). Patients who developed nosocomial infections had longer duration of ECMO (13 vs. 5 days; p<0.001), longer length of stay (36.5 vs. 18.5 days; p=0.004), and more days on ventilator (29 vs. 12.5; p=0.002). Duration of ECMO (OR=1.20, 95% CI 1.02-1.39; p=0.020) and duration of ECMO greater than 10 days (OR=14.65, 95% CI 1.81-118.78; p=0.012) were independent risk factors for developing nosocomial infections. However, there was no difference in mortality when duration of ECMO >10 days was compared with ≤10 days (28.5% vs. 43.1%; p=0.154).

Conclusion: Nosocomial infections have no effect on survival in adult ECMO patients. Presence of either antibiotics or infection prior to ECMO has no effect on developing nosocomial infections while on ECMO. Duration of ECMO longer than 10 days is a major risk factor for developing nosocomial infection.