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Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation use on Liver Transplantation: An Integrative Review

ABSTRACT

Objective:

To review the applicability of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) during the pre, intra and postoperative periods of patients undergoing liver transplantation.

Methods:

This is an integrative review that seeks to evaluate the indications for the use of ECMO in liver transplantation. As databases, were used: MEDLINE, Web of Science and Scopus, with articles published in the last ten years in English and Portuguese.

Results:

In this review, 24 papers were included, of which 3 were original articles and 21 were case reports. The studies were divided according to the ECMO application period concerning the liver transplant: one for the preoperative, eight intraoperative and 15 postoperative. It was identified that ECMO use is mainly related to hepatopulmonary syndrome complications. The limited number of studies regarding using ECMO in the preoperative period reflects the importance of hepatic transplant as the main measure to manage liver disease complications. In the intraoperative phase, ECMO usage is expressive in managing cardiopulmonary complications refractory to previous interventions. The use of this mechanism in the postoperative period is the most reported. The main indication is severe hypoxemia secondary to hepatopulmonary syndrome, in which other treatments have been ineffective. The main complications related to this mechanism were sepsis, renal failure and bleeding.

Conclusion:

ECMO is an important therapeutic modality for managing complications resulting from liver transplantation. However, only some studies in the literature have an adequate sample number to assess its actual efficacy and level of safety.

Descriptors
ECMO; Liver transplant; Perioperative period; Hepatopulmonary syndrome; Sepsis

RESUMO

Objective:

Revisar a aplicabilidade da Oxigenação por Membrana Extracorpórea (ECMO, do inglês extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) durante os períodos pré, intra e pós-operatório de pacientes submetidos ao transplante de fígado. Metodologia: Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa que buscou avaliar as indicações do uso da ECMO no transplante hepático, assim como suas complicações. Utilizou-se as bases de dados: MEDLINE, Web of Science e Scopus, com artigos publicados nos últimos 10 anos, em inglês e português.

Resultados:

Nesta revisão foram incluídos 24 trabalhos, dos quais 3 eram artigos originais e 21 eram relatos de caso. Os estudos foram divididos de acordo com o período da aplicação da ECMO em relação ao transplante hepático: 1 em relação ao pré-operatório, 8 ao intraoperatório e 15 no pós-operatório. Identificou-se que o uso da ECMO possui como principal indicação complicações relacionadas à síndrome hepatopulmonar. A quantidade limitada de artigos com uso na ECMO no pré-operatório reflete a importância do transplante hepático como principal medida para manejo das complicações da doença hepática. Na fase intraoperatória, a utilização da ECMO é expressiva no manejo de complicações cardiopulmonares refratárias a intervenções prévias. O uso desse mecanismo no pós-operatório identifica-se como o mais relatado, com principal indicação na hipoxemia grave secundária à síndrome hepatopulmonar em que outros tratamentos foram ineficazes. As principais complicações relacionadas ao uso do dispositivo foram sepse, falência renal e sangramento.

Conclusão:

A ECMO é uma modalidade terapêutica importante para o manejo de intercorrências provenientes do transplante hepático. Todavia poucos estudos na literatura possuem um número amostral adequado para avaliar sua real eficácia e seu nível de segurança.

Descritores
ECMO; Transplante de Fígado; Período Perioperatório; Síndrome Hepatopulmonar; Sepse

INTRODUCTION

Liver transplantation was first applied in 1963 by Startz et al. and is under constant study to ensure the best prognosis for patients undergoing this treatment.11 Meirelles Júnior RF, Salvalaggio P, Rezende MB, Evangelista AS, Guardia BD, Matielo CEL, et al. Liver transplantation: History, outcomes and perspectives. Einstein São Paulo. 2015;13(1):149-52. https://>doi.org/10.1590/S1679-45082015RW3164
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-45082015RW...
Among the actions developed around transplantation is the management of pre- to postoperative complications, including heart failure, severe respiratory failure, and other systemic syndromes, which require alternative therapies.22 Lee KW, Cho CW, Lee N, Choi GS, Cho YH, Kim JM, et al. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support for refractory septic shock in liver transplantation recipients. Ann Surg Treat Res. 2017;93(3):152-8. https://doi.org/10.4174/astr.2017.93.3.152
https://doi.org/10.4174/astr.2017.93.3.1...
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a therapeutic modality that ensures gas exchange, mechanical ventilation, and support for systemic and pulmonary blood flow. This oxygenation ensures assistance for situations of respiratory and cardiac failure,33 Tramm R, Ilic D, Davies AR, Pellegrino VA, Romero L, Hodgson C. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for critically ill adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;1(1):CD010381. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd010381 becoming increasingly frequent in the treatment of diseases associated with liver transplantation.44 Hogen R, Sedra AH, Motamed A, Emamaullee J. The evolving role of ECMO in liver transplantation. Curr Opin Organ Transplant. 2021;26(3):333-8. https://doi.org/10.1097/mot.0000000000000874
https://doi.org/10.1097/mot.000000000000...

The literature points to the use of ECMO during the intraoperative period, in cases of severe post-reperfusion syndrome,55 Voulgarelis S, Hong JC, Zimmerman MA, Kim J, Scott JP. A novel escalation from veno-venous bypass to veno-venous ECMO during orthotopic liver transplantation. A case report. Perfusion. 2021;36(8):861-3. https://doi.org/10.1177/0267659120973592
https://doi.org/10.1177/0267659120973592...
and postoperatively in cases in cases such as respiratory distress syndrome from persistent or remnant hepatopulmonary syndrome.66 Seo DJ, Yoo JS, Kim JB, Jung SH, Choo SJ, Chung CH, et al. Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for postoperative acute respiratory distress syndrome. Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2015;48(3):180-6. https://doi.org/10.5090/kjtcs.2015.48.3.180
https://doi.org/10.5090/kjtcs.2015.48.3....
However, its use is not yet well established,44 Hogen R, Sedra AH, Motamed A, Emamaullee J. The evolving role of ECMO in liver transplantation. Curr Opin Organ Transplant. 2021;26(3):333-8. https://doi.org/10.1097/mot.0000000000000874
https://doi.org/10.1097/mot.000000000000...
with a controversial literature about its indications. In this context, some studies show complications, such as sepsis and bleeding, that make it even more difficult to weigh the benefits against the risks of this clinical conduct.55 Voulgarelis S, Hong JC, Zimmerman MA, Kim J, Scott JP. A novel escalation from veno-venous bypass to veno-venous ECMO during orthotopic liver transplantation. A case report. Perfusion. 2021;36(8):861-3. https://doi.org/10.1177/0267659120973592
https://doi.org/10.1177/0267659120973592...
77 Barbas AS, Schroder JN, Borle DP, Suarez A, Abraham N, Manning MW, et al. Planned initiation of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation prior to liver transplantation in a patient with severe portopulmonary hypertension. Liver Transpl. 2021;27(5):760-2. https://doi.org/10.1002/lt.25871
https://doi.org/10.1002/lt.25871...

Given this, this review aims to evaluate the indication of ECMO during the pre-, intra-, and postoperative periods of liver transplantation.

METHODS

This study is configured as an integrative review, which used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA)88 Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, Boutron I, Hoffmann TC, Mulrow CD, et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ. 2021;372:71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71...
protocol to analyze the indications of ECMO in the patient in the pre-, intra- and postoperative liver transplantation. The initial discussion focused on the topic “liver transplantation”, reached through the FINER (Feasible, Interesting, Novel, Ethical, and Relevant) method,99 Fontelles MJ, Simões MG, Farias SH, Fontelles RGS. Metodologia da pesquisa científica: diretrizes para a elaboração de um protocolo de pesquisa. Rev Para Med. 2009 [citado 1 dez 2022]. Disponível em: http://files.bvs.br/upload/S/0101-5907/2009/v23n3/a1967.pdf
http://files.bvs.br/upload/S/0101-5907/2...
to raise a current technique and to generate a discussion regarding the benefits of its application in patients during such a procedure. The elements of the PICO method were then established (Table 1).1010 Santos CMC, Pimenta CAM, Nobre MRC. The PICO strategy for the research question construction and evidence search. Rev Latino-Am Enfermagem. 2007;15(3):508-11. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-11692007000300023
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-1169200700...

Table 1
Elements of the PICO method.

Thus, the guiding question for this study was elaborated: “Is the use of ECMO in perioperative adult liver transplantation a factor in reducing mortality when compared to not using this tool?”

The databases that cover the largest amount of evidence about the research problem were used, among them: MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus. The search was performed targeting articles on adults in the pre-, intra-, and postoperative periods of liver transplantation in which ECMO was a necessary therapeutic modality for the management of complications of liver disease, eliminating the pediatric population and other pathologies with an indication for ECMO, such as COVID-19. All sources were last consulted on August 24, 2022. The review was not registered.

  • MEDLINE: ((Liver_Transplantation[Title/Abstract]) AND (ECMO OR Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation[Title/Abstract])) AND ((“2012/01/01”[Date - Publication] : “3000”[Date - Publication]))

  • Web of Science: ((TS=(Liver_Transplantation) AND TS=(ECMO OR Extracorporeal_Membrane_Oxygenation) AND PY=(2012-2022))

  • Scopus: (TITLE-ABS-KEY ( liver_transplation ) AND TITLE-ABS-KEY (ecmo OR extracorporeal_membrane_oxygenation)) AND PUBYEAR > 2011 AND PUBYEAR > 2011

Regarding the inclusion criteria, original articles in English and Portuguese, published in the last ten years, and with procedures performed in individuals over 18 years old were included. The criteria used for exclusion were articles with inadequate study type, such as a letter to the reader, editorial, reviews and congress annals; articles focused on the pediatric population; articles that were not related to the central objective of the review, that is, those that discussed other diseases parallel to liver diseases or that did not exclusively discuss liver transplantation, such as simultaneous transplants. Case reports were included, even with the low level of scientific evidence, since the number of original articles was limited, compromising the review.22 Lee KW, Cho CW, Lee N, Choi GS, Cho YH, Kim JM, et al. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support for refractory septic shock in liver transplantation recipients. Ann Surg Treat Res. 2017;93(3):152-8. https://doi.org/10.4174/astr.2017.93.3.152
https://doi.org/10.4174/astr.2017.93.3.1...
,66 Seo DJ, Yoo JS, Kim JB, Jung SH, Choo SJ, Chung CH, et al. Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for postoperative acute respiratory distress syndrome. Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2015;48(3):180-6. https://doi.org/10.5090/kjtcs.2015.48.3.180
https://doi.org/10.5090/kjtcs.2015.48.3....
,1111 Gagnon AI, De Wolf A, Hudcova J, Axelrod DA. Perioperative management of patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome. Curr Transplant Rep. 2018;5:282-8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40472-018-0208-7
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40472-018-0208-...
1313 Gedik E, Çelik MR, Otan E, Di?li OM, Erdil N, Bay?nd?r Y, et al. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation after living-related liver transplant. Exp Clin Transplant. 2015;13(Suppl 1):290-3. https://doi.org/10.6002/ect.mesot2014.p136
https://doi.org/10.6002/ect.mesot2014.p1...
The Critically Appraised Topic (CAT) Manager App was used to assess the risk of study bias. The following limitations were identified: the presence of a nonrandomized study and the presence of studies without the possibility of evaluating effect measures.

The Rayyan online platform was used to select the studies according to the PRISMA 2020 Flow Diagram. The platform provides an automatic filtering tool for duplicate articles; in addition, the filtering was done independently among reviewers through the blind mode function, which makes it impossible for one reviewer to see the exclusion and inclusion decision of the other editors, decreasing the risk of bias. Articles were selected by at least two reviewers at initial filtering from abstract and title reading. A third party evaluated the tie-breaking criteria in case of disagreement between the reviewers’ decisions. In the full-text reading stage, the 24 articles included were divided among the reviewers and evaluated independently, and their data were extracted and summarized in the attached tables. For data extraction, the following information was sought: year, method, condition that indicated the use of ECMO, time of transplantation when ECMO was used (pre-, intra- and postoperative), complications associated with the use of ECMO, and death. In case series and retrospective studies, the number of patients and the number (absolute or relative) of patients associated with each complication were specified.

RESULTS

Twenty-four articles were included, of which 3 were original, and 21 were case reports. The studies were divided according to the period of ECMO application in relation to liver transplantation: 1 preoperatively, 8 intraoperatively, and 15 postoperatively (Fig. 1).

Figure 1
Flowchart of the article selection process.

Preoperative

The only article addressing preoperative ECMO demonstrates the use of the device to stabilize severe portopulmonary hypertension (Table 2). In this case, there were two attempts to perform liver transplantation, but the patient could not tolerate general anesthesia and was refractory to using vasopressors. ECMO was used as a strategy to avoid this systemic imbalance and proved to be efficient for this, ensuring the execution of the operation without causing direct complications.77 Barbas AS, Schroder JN, Borle DP, Suarez A, Abraham N, Manning MW, et al. Planned initiation of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation prior to liver transplantation in a patient with severe portopulmonary hypertension. Liver Transpl. 2021;27(5):760-2. https://doi.org/10.1002/lt.25871
https://doi.org/10.1002/lt.25871...

Table 2
Indications of ECMO in preoperative liver transplantation.

Intraoperative

Eight articles indicated the use of intraoperative ECMO, with two major subgroups as indications: the repercussion of previously diagnosed conditions or complications after severe post-reperfusion syndrome (Table 3).

Table 3.
Indications of ECMO in intraoperative liver transplantation.

Sun et al. cite the use of ECMO in patients with severe cardiocirculatory dysfunction to alleviate the stress caused during transplantation.1414 Sun X, Qiu W, Chen Y, Lv G, Fan Z. Utilization of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for a severe cardiocirculatory dysfunction recipient in liver transplantation: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore). 2018;97(37):e12407. https://doi.org/10.1097/md.0000000000012407
https://doi.org/10.1097/md.0000000000012...
Whereas Martucci et al. cite portopulmonary hypertension as an eligible condition of its use.1515 Martucci G, Burgio G, Lullo F, Panarello G, Arcadipane A. Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as an intraoperative rescue option in case of portopulmonary hypertension recognized during liver transplantation. Minerva Anestesiol. 2017;83(12):1336-7. https://doi.org/10.23736/s0375-9393.17.12224-8
https://doi.org/10.23736/s0375-9393.17.1...
Other situations, such as occlusion of important veins in circulatory drainages, such as the brachycephalic, internal jugular, and subclavian veins, have also been evaluated for using ECMO.55 Voulgarelis S, Hong JC, Zimmerman MA, Kim J, Scott JP. A novel escalation from veno-venous bypass to veno-venous ECMO during orthotopic liver transplantation. A case report. Perfusion. 2021;36(8):861-3. https://doi.org/10.1177/0267659120973592
https://doi.org/10.1177/0267659120973592...
As for cases of hemodynamic repercussion due to severe post-reperfusion syndrome, six articles reported the issue, with two papers about cardiac arrest,1515 Martucci G, Burgio G, Lullo F, Panarello G, Arcadipane A. Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as an intraoperative rescue option in case of portopulmonary hypertension recognized during liver transplantation. Minerva Anestesiol. 2017;83(12):1336-7. https://doi.org/10.23736/s0375-9393.17.12224-8
https://doi.org/10.23736/s0375-9393.17.1...
,1616 Van Hoof L, Rega F, Devroe S, Degezelle K, Pirenne J, Neyrinck A. Successful resuscitation after hyperkalemic cardiac arrest during liver transplantation by converting veno-venous bypass to veno-arterial ECMO. Perfusion. 2021;36(7):766-8. https://doi.org/10.1177/0267659120963898
https://doi.org/10.1177/0267659120963898...
while others showed arrhythmia,1717 Tejani M, Yi SY, Eudailey KW, George I, Guarrera JV, Wagener G. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a rescue device for postreperfusion cardiac arrest during liver transplantation. Liver Transpl. 2015;21(3):410-4. https://doi.org/10.1002/lt.24056
https://doi.org/10.1002/lt.24056...
intracardiac thrombosis,1818 Romano DN, Smith NK, Itagaki S, Bekki Y, Gunasekaran G, Zerillo J. A case report of venoarterial ECMO as salvage therapy for prolonged cardiac arrest following post-reperfusion intracardiac thrombosis during orthotopic liver transplantation. Semin Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2021;25(1):62-6. https://doi.org/10.1177/1089253220952628
https://doi.org/10.1177/1089253220952628...
severe pulmonary embolism,1919 Goussous N, Akbar H, LaMattina JC, Hanish SI, Barth RN, Bruno DA. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support following liver transplantation-A case series. Clin Transplant. julho de 2019;33(7):e13628. https://doi.org/10.1111/ctr.13628
https://doi.org/10.1111/ctr.13628...
and cardiogenic shock.2020 Eudailey KW, Yi SY, Mongero LB, Wagener G, Guarrera JV, George I. Trans-diaphragmatic left ventricular venting during peripheral venous-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Perfusion. 2015;30(8):701-3. https://doi.org/10.1177/0267659115592468
https://doi.org/10.1177/0267659115592468...
In four of them, cardiopulmonary resuscitation maneuvers with vasoactive drugs were performed, however, without success.1616 Van Hoof L, Rega F, Devroe S, Degezelle K, Pirenne J, Neyrinck A. Successful resuscitation after hyperkalemic cardiac arrest during liver transplantation by converting veno-venous bypass to veno-arterial ECMO. Perfusion. 2021;36(7):766-8. https://doi.org/10.1177/0267659120963898
https://doi.org/10.1177/0267659120963898...
1717 Tejani M, Yi SY, Eudailey KW, George I, Guarrera JV, Wagener G. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a rescue device for postreperfusion cardiac arrest during liver transplantation. Liver Transpl. 2015;21(3):410-4. https://doi.org/10.1002/lt.24056
https://doi.org/10.1002/lt.24056...
,2020 Eudailey KW, Yi SY, Mongero LB, Wagener G, Guarrera JV, George I. Trans-diaphragmatic left ventricular venting during peripheral venous-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Perfusion. 2015;30(8):701-3. https://doi.org/10.1177/0267659115592468
https://doi.org/10.1177/0267659115592468...
In these, cardiac rhythm resumed after using ECMO, with no major associated complications developed. In another case, cardiac resuscitation was successful before installation, but the patient developed septic shock postoperatively, and died.1515 Martucci G, Burgio G, Lullo F, Panarello G, Arcadipane A. Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as an intraoperative rescue option in case of portopulmonary hypertension recognized during liver transplantation. Minerva Anestesiol. 2017;83(12):1336-7. https://doi.org/10.23736/s0375-9393.17.12224-8
https://doi.org/10.23736/s0375-9393.17.1...
As for the case of severe pulmonary embolism, the patient had a shock, requiring vasopressors for hemodynamic control, and improvement in systemic pressure after using ECMO, without developing complications.1919 Goussous N, Akbar H, LaMattina JC, Hanish SI, Barth RN, Bruno DA. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support following liver transplantation-A case series. Clin Transplant. julho de 2019;33(7):e13628. https://doi.org/10.1111/ctr.13628
https://doi.org/10.1111/ctr.13628...

In addition, Chou et al. demonstrated in a nationwide retrospective cohort study done in Taiwan the use of ECMO in perioperative, involving cases from the intra- and postoperative periods. The National Health Plan Database (NHIRD) was used to compare the mortality of patients with liver cirrhosis undergoing the use of ECMO, with people without liver cirrhosis undergoing ECMO, from 2000 to 2013. Of the 7,003 patients analyzed, 233 had liver cirrhosis, and of these, 42 underwent liver transplantation and underwent ECMO; 84.2% of patients with liver cirrhosis who used ECMO and did not undergo transplantation died within two years. Mortality among liver transplant patients is even higher: of the 27 patients who underwent ECMO during the intraoperative period of transplantation, 25 died within two years of admission, and of the 15 who underwent ECMO postoperatively, 14 died within two years.1212 Chou AH, Wu VCC, Chen DY, Hung KC, Chang SH, Chu PH, et al. Outcome of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in patients with liver cirrhosis: A nationwide population-based cohort study. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2020;58(3):519-27. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejcts/ezaa089
https://doi.org/10.1093/ejcts/ezaa089...

Postoperative

ECMO is widely referenced in the postoperative period, as exemplified in 62.5% of the reviewed articles (15 articles in total) (Table 4). Included in these studies were eleven case reports,1111 Gagnon AI, De Wolf A, Hudcova J, Axelrod DA. Perioperative management of patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome. Curr Transplant Rep. 2018;5:282-8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40472-018-0208-7
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40472-018-0208-...
,1313 Gedik E, Çelik MR, Otan E, Di?li OM, Erdil N, Bay?nd?r Y, et al. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation after living-related liver transplant. Exp Clin Transplant. 2015;13(Suppl 1):290-3. https://doi.org/10.6002/ect.mesot2014.p136
https://doi.org/10.6002/ect.mesot2014.p1...
,2121 Sheckley M, Calderon E, Patel BM, Sen A, Giorgakis E, Hewitt WR, et al. Utilization of veno-arterial extracorporeal life support for acute respiratory distress syndrome after liver transplant. Exp Clin Transplant. 2022;20(6):616-20. https://doi.org/10.6002/ect.2020.0068
https://doi.org/10.6002/ect.2020.0068...
2525 Piltcher-da-Silva R, Chedid MF, Grezzana Filho TJM, Leipnitz I, Araújo A, Gazzana MB, et al. Severe hepatopulmonary syndrome with hypoxemia refractory to liver transplant: Recovery after 67 days of ECMO support. Int J Artif Organs. 2022;45(1):121-3. https://doi.org/10.1177/0391398821989067
https://doi.org/10.1177/0391398821989067...
two case series1919 Goussous N, Akbar H, LaMattina JC, Hanish SI, Barth RN, Bruno DA. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support following liver transplantation-A case series. Clin Transplant. julho de 2019;33(7):e13628. https://doi.org/10.1111/ctr.13628
https://doi.org/10.1111/ctr.13628...
,2626 Braun HJ, Pulcrano ME, Weber DJ, Padilla BE, Ascher NL. The utility of ECMO after liver transplantation: Experience at a high-volume transplant center and review of the literature. Transplantation. 2019;103(8):1568-73. https://doi.org/10.1097/tp.0000000000002716
https://doi.org/10.1097/tp.0000000000002...
and two original articles,22 Lee KW, Cho CW, Lee N, Choi GS, Cho YH, Kim JM, et al. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support for refractory septic shock in liver transplantation recipients. Ann Surg Treat Res. 2017;93(3):152-8. https://doi.org/10.4174/astr.2017.93.3.152
https://doi.org/10.4174/astr.2017.93.3.1...
,66 Seo DJ, Yoo JS, Kim JB, Jung SH, Choo SJ, Chung CH, et al. Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for postoperative acute respiratory distress syndrome. Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2015;48(3):180-6. https://doi.org/10.5090/kjtcs.2015.48.3.180
https://doi.org/10.5090/kjtcs.2015.48.3....
in which the main indications were severe respiratory syndromes and cardiovascular conditions. Among the studies in this scenario, six addressed remnant hepatopulmonary syndrome1111 Gagnon AI, De Wolf A, Hudcova J, Axelrod DA. Perioperative management of patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome. Curr Transplant Rep. 2018;5:282-8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40472-018-0208-7
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40472-018-0208-...
,1919 Goussous N, Akbar H, LaMattina JC, Hanish SI, Barth RN, Bruno DA. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support following liver transplantation-A case series. Clin Transplant. julho de 2019;33(7):e13628. https://doi.org/10.1111/ctr.13628
https://doi.org/10.1111/ctr.13628...
,2323 Stratta C, Lavezzo B, Ballaris MA, Panio A, Crucitti M, Andruetto P, et al. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation rescue therapy in a case of portopulmonary hypertension during liver transplantation: A case report. Transplant Proc. 2013;45(7):2774-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.transproceed.2013.07.001
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.transproceed.2...
2626 Braun HJ, Pulcrano ME, Weber DJ, Padilla BE, Ascher NL. The utility of ECMO after liver transplantation: Experience at a high-volume transplant center and review of the literature. Transplantation. 2019;103(8):1568-73. https://doi.org/10.1097/tp.0000000000002716
https://doi.org/10.1097/tp.0000000000002...
and six dealt with secondary respiratory distress syndrome.66 Seo DJ, Yoo JS, Kim JB, Jung SH, Choo SJ, Chung CH, et al. Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for postoperative acute respiratory distress syndrome. Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2015;48(3):180-6. https://doi.org/10.5090/kjtcs.2015.48.3.180
https://doi.org/10.5090/kjtcs.2015.48.3....
,1919 Goussous N, Akbar H, LaMattina JC, Hanish SI, Barth RN, Bruno DA. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support following liver transplantation-A case series. Clin Transplant. julho de 2019;33(7):e13628. https://doi.org/10.1111/ctr.13628
https://doi.org/10.1111/ctr.13628...
,2121 Sheckley M, Calderon E, Patel BM, Sen A, Giorgakis E, Hewitt WR, et al. Utilization of veno-arterial extracorporeal life support for acute respiratory distress syndrome after liver transplant. Exp Clin Transplant. 2022;20(6):616-20. https://doi.org/10.6002/ect.2020.0068
https://doi.org/10.6002/ect.2020.0068...
2323 Stratta C, Lavezzo B, Ballaris MA, Panio A, Crucitti M, Andruetto P, et al. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation rescue therapy in a case of portopulmonary hypertension during liver transplantation: A case report. Transplant Proc. 2013;45(7):2774-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.transproceed.2013.07.001
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.transproceed.2...
,2626 Braun HJ, Pulcrano ME, Weber DJ, Padilla BE, Ascher NL. The utility of ECMO after liver transplantation: Experience at a high-volume transplant center and review of the literature. Transplantation. 2019;103(8):1568-73. https://doi.org/10.1097/tp.0000000000002716
https://doi.org/10.1097/tp.0000000000002...
ECMO was also present in scenarios of cardiovascular failure when the use of medications, mechanical ventilation, and other conventional treatments proved ineffective; one reported two cases of thrombus,1919 Goussous N, Akbar H, LaMattina JC, Hanish SI, Barth RN, Bruno DA. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support following liver transplantation-A case series. Clin Transplant. julho de 2019;33(7):e13628. https://doi.org/10.1111/ctr.13628
https://doi.org/10.1111/ctr.13628...
one addressed severe pulmonary embolism and cardiac arrest,2626 Braun HJ, Pulcrano ME, Weber DJ, Padilla BE, Ascher NL. The utility of ECMO after liver transplantation: Experience at a high-volume transplant center and review of the literature. Transplantation. 2019;103(8):1568-73. https://doi.org/10.1097/tp.0000000000002716
https://doi.org/10.1097/tp.0000000000002...
one discussed cardiogenic shock,2626 Braun HJ, Pulcrano ME, Weber DJ, Padilla BE, Ascher NL. The utility of ECMO after liver transplantation: Experience at a high-volume transplant center and review of the literature. Transplantation. 2019;103(8):1568-73. https://doi.org/10.1097/tp.0000000000002716
https://doi.org/10.1097/tp.0000000000002...
one portal vein thrombosis2525 Piltcher-da-Silva R, Chedid MF, Grezzana Filho TJM, Leipnitz I, Araújo A, Gazzana MB, et al. Severe hepatopulmonary syndrome with hypoxemia refractory to liver transplant: Recovery after 67 days of ECMO support. Int J Artif Organs. 2022;45(1):121-3. https://doi.org/10.1177/0391398821989067
https://doi.org/10.1177/0391398821989067...
and one pulmonary congestion.2727 Yoo CS, Shin YH, Ko JS, Gwak MS, Kim GS. Anesthetic management including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy of liver transplant recipient with life-threatening hypoxemia -a case report-. Korean J Anesthesiol. 2013;65(2):151-7. https://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2013.65.2.151
https://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2013.65.2.1...
Furthermore, its use was also frequent as a treatment protocol for septic shock, established in 3 of the 14 articles analyzed;22 Lee KW, Cho CW, Lee N, Choi GS, Cho YH, Kim JM, et al. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support for refractory septic shock in liver transplantation recipients. Ann Surg Treat Res. 2017;93(3):152-8. https://doi.org/10.4174/astr.2017.93.3.152
https://doi.org/10.4174/astr.2017.93.3.1...
,1313 Gedik E, Çelik MR, Otan E, Di?li OM, Erdil N, Bay?nd?r Y, et al. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation after living-related liver transplant. Exp Clin Transplant. 2015;13(Suppl 1):290-3. https://doi.org/10.6002/ect.mesot2014.p136
https://doi.org/10.6002/ect.mesot2014.p1...
,2222 Park JI, Jung BH, Lee SG. Veno-arterial-venous hybrid mode of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for acute respiratory distress syndrome combined with septic shock in a liver transplant patient: A case report. Transplant Proc. 2017;49(5):1192-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.transproceed.2017.03.030
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.transproceed.2...
however, these scenarios were generally accompanied by respiratory insufficiencies.

Table 4
Indications of ECMO in the postoperative period of liver transplantation.

When it came to the complications of these types of ECMO applications, two of the eleven reports showed severe complications directly related to the support technique.1313 Gedik E, Çelik MR, Otan E, Di?li OM, Erdil N, Bay?nd?r Y, et al. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation after living-related liver transplant. Exp Clin Transplant. 2015;13(Suppl 1):290-3. https://doi.org/10.6002/ect.mesot2014.p136
https://doi.org/10.6002/ect.mesot2014.p1...
,2727 Yoo CS, Shin YH, Ko JS, Gwak MS, Kim GS. Anesthetic management including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy of liver transplant recipient with life-threatening hypoxemia -a case report-. Korean J Anesthesiol. 2013;65(2):151-7. https://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2013.65.2.151
https://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2013.65.2.1...
Among the case series, it was reported by Goussous et al. that one of seven patients could not be decannulated, five patients suffered with renal failure, and four patients demanded to be reoperated because of severe internal bleeding. All patients who were decannulated required tracheostomy and two patients died in the hospital from fungemia and respiratory failure and one died from conditions parallel to ECMO;1919 Goussous N, Akbar H, LaMattina JC, Hanish SI, Barth RN, Bruno DA. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support following liver transplantation-A case series. Clin Transplant. julho de 2019;33(7):e13628. https://doi.org/10.1111/ctr.13628
https://doi.org/10.1111/ctr.13628...
Braun et al. reported that there were cases of renal failure, bacteremia, and tracheostomy, and only three of the eight patients survived.2626 Braun HJ, Pulcrano ME, Weber DJ, Padilla BE, Ascher NL. The utility of ECMO after liver transplantation: Experience at a high-volume transplant center and review of the literature. Transplantation. 2019;103(8):1568-73. https://doi.org/10.1097/tp.0000000000002716
https://doi.org/10.1097/tp.0000000000002...

Furthermore, Seo et al. discuss in their article ECMO use in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), aiming to study the use of the device in patients who had been refractory to the other established treatments. A total of 69 patients were observed, reaching a survival rate of 18.8%, of whom 35 died while using ECMO.66 Seo DJ, Yoo JS, Kim JB, Jung SH, Choo SJ, Chung CH, et al. Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for postoperative acute respiratory distress syndrome. Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2015;48(3):180-6. https://doi.org/10.5090/kjtcs.2015.48.3.180
https://doi.org/10.5090/kjtcs.2015.48.3....
Lee et al. published a retrospective study that aimed to analyze the use of ECMO in cases of septic shock after ineffective conventional treatment. Eight individuals were studied, of whom two survived and did not suffer direct complications from ECMO. This article concluded that this therapeutic modality could be used as rescue therapy for patients with refractory septic shock, with a survival rate of 25%.22 Lee KW, Cho CW, Lee N, Choi GS, Cho YH, Kim JM, et al. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support for refractory septic shock in liver transplantation recipients. Ann Surg Treat Res. 2017;93(3):152-8. https://doi.org/10.4174/astr.2017.93.3.152
https://doi.org/10.4174/astr.2017.93.3.1...

DISCUSSION

ECMO can be used for complications secondary to liver transplantation, especially cardiopulmonary failure.2323 Stratta C, Lavezzo B, Ballaris MA, Panio A, Crucitti M, Andruetto P, et al. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation rescue therapy in a case of portopulmonary hypertension during liver transplantation: A case report. Transplant Proc. 2013;45(7):2774-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.transproceed.2013.07.001
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.transproceed.2...
Two modalities of ECMO are currently employed, the venovenous ECMO (VV-ECMO) and venoarterial ECMO (VA-ECMO), the latter being involved with maintaining the patient’s hemodynamic balance and supporting lung function, which is the basis of this cardiopulmonary therapy.66 Seo DJ, Yoo JS, Kim JB, Jung SH, Choo SJ, Chung CH, et al. Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for postoperative acute respiratory distress syndrome. Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2015;48(3):180-6. https://doi.org/10.5090/kjtcs.2015.48.3.180
https://doi.org/10.5090/kjtcs.2015.48.3....
ECMO has a 30–40% survival rate in patients with unfavorable survival prognoses, such as in severe hepatopulmonary syndrome, its main indication in this context.2828 Brodie D, Bacchetta M. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for ARDS in adults. N Engl J Med. 2011;365(20):1905-14. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmct1103720
https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmct1103720...
This condition involves the simultaneity of severe hypoxemia and advanced liver disease, causing systemic failure that can sometimes be refractory to conventional treatment, requiring ECMO intervention as a last resort.2929 Nayyar D, Man HSJ, Granton J, Gupta S. Defining and characterizing severe hypoxemia after liver transplantation in hepatopulmonary syndrome. Liver Transpl. 2014;20(2):182-90. https://doi.org/10.1002/lt.23776
https://doi.org/10.1002/lt.23776...

Of the 24 selected articles, only 1 addressed the indication of ECMO in the preoperative period. It is known that this therapeutic modality is of great complexity, being considered an invasive procedure, generally used after other conventional treatments have proven ineffective.3030 Brodie D, Bacchetta M. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for ARDS in adults. N Engl J Med. 2011;365:1905-14. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMct1103720
https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMct1103720...
Thus, the indication of the technique requires careful consideration of the risks based on well-structured protocols and a study of the specific case. An example of this was the article by Barbas et al., in which VV-ECMO was employed to ensure patient survival to liver transplantation. In this case, the patient had severe portopulmonary hypertension, and two transplant attempts were aborted due to hemodynamic instability after induction of anesthesia. The installation of preoperative ECMO was necessary for the gradual improvement of lung function and, ultimately, conduction to surgery.77 Barbas AS, Schroder JN, Borle DP, Suarez A, Abraham N, Manning MW, et al. Planned initiation of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation prior to liver transplantation in a patient with severe portopulmonary hypertension. Liver Transpl. 2021;27(5):760-2. https://doi.org/10.1002/lt.25871
https://doi.org/10.1002/lt.25871...

ARDS and hepatopulmonary syndrome were the most frequent conditions justifying the use of ECMO after liver transplantation.66 Seo DJ, Yoo JS, Kim JB, Jung SH, Choo SJ, Chung CH, et al. Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for postoperative acute respiratory distress syndrome. Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2015;48(3):180-6. https://doi.org/10.5090/kjtcs.2015.48.3.180
https://doi.org/10.5090/kjtcs.2015.48.3....
,1111 Gagnon AI, De Wolf A, Hudcova J, Axelrod DA. Perioperative management of patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome. Curr Transplant Rep. 2018;5:282-8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40472-018-0208-7
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40472-018-0208-...
,1414 Sun X, Qiu W, Chen Y, Lv G, Fan Z. Utilization of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for a severe cardiocirculatory dysfunction recipient in liver transplantation: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore). 2018;97(37):e12407. https://doi.org/10.1097/md.0000000000012407
https://doi.org/10.1097/md.0000000000012...
,1919 Goussous N, Akbar H, LaMattina JC, Hanish SI, Barth RN, Bruno DA. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support following liver transplantation-A case series. Clin Transplant. julho de 2019;33(7):e13628. https://doi.org/10.1111/ctr.13628
https://doi.org/10.1111/ctr.13628...
,2020 Eudailey KW, Yi SY, Mongero LB, Wagener G, Guarrera JV, George I. Trans-diaphragmatic left ventricular venting during peripheral venous-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Perfusion. 2015;30(8):701-3. https://doi.org/10.1177/0267659115592468
https://doi.org/10.1177/0267659115592468...
,2222 Park JI, Jung BH, Lee SG. Veno-arterial-venous hybrid mode of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for acute respiratory distress syndrome combined with septic shock in a liver transplant patient: A case report. Transplant Proc. 2017;49(5):1192-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.transproceed.2017.03.030
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.transproceed.2...
2424 Geevarghese A, Sarwar A, Chi A, Dargin J. The use of venovenous-ECMO for refractory hypoxemia following liver transplantation in a patient with hepatopulmonary syndrome. CHEST. 2017;152(4):A286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2017.08.312
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2017.08....
,3131 Lauterio A, Bottiroli M, Cannata A, DE Carlis R, Valsecchi M, Perricone G, et al. Successful recovery from severe inverted Takotsubo cardiomyopathy after liver transplantation: The efficacy of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Minerva Anestesiol. 2022;88(3):199-201. https://doi.org/10.23736/s0375-9393.21.16140-1
https://doi.org/10.23736/s0375-9393.21.1...
ECMO has been initiated in patients in whom liver transplantation was insufficient to recover respiratory function, and respiratory support was necessary to resolve severe hypoxemia secondary to remnant hepatopulmonary syndrome.66 Seo DJ, Yoo JS, Kim JB, Jung SH, Choo SJ, Chung CH, et al. Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for postoperative acute respiratory distress syndrome. Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2015;48(3):180-6. https://doi.org/10.5090/kjtcs.2015.48.3.180
https://doi.org/10.5090/kjtcs.2015.48.3....
From this perspective, ECMO emerges as the bridge to the decision, that is, it ensures the stabilization of the patient from their serious condition and enables the careful evaluation of the case to plan the next steps of treatment. This strategy was seen frequently during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, during which this therapeutic modality was widely employed in patients with severe lung damage.2323 Stratta C, Lavezzo B, Ballaris MA, Panio A, Crucitti M, Andruetto P, et al. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation rescue therapy in a case of portopulmonary hypertension during liver transplantation: A case report. Transplant Proc. 2013;45(7):2774-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.transproceed.2013.07.001
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.transproceed.2...
,2626 Braun HJ, Pulcrano ME, Weber DJ, Padilla BE, Ascher NL. The utility of ECMO after liver transplantation: Experience at a high-volume transplant center and review of the literature. Transplantation. 2019;103(8):1568-73. https://doi.org/10.1097/tp.0000000000002716
https://doi.org/10.1097/tp.0000000000002...
,3232 Bertini P, Guarracino F, Falcone M, Nardelli P, Landoni G, Nocci M, et al. ECMO in COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2022;36(8 Pt A):2700-6. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jvca.2021.11.006
https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jvca.2021.11.0...
,3333 Nair N, Gongora E, Nair N, Gongora E. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a bridge to cardiac transplantation. In Advances in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation - Volume 3. Londres: IntechOpen; 2019. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.8493534.
https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.84935...

Although ECMO is an important source of support for treating cardiorespiratory complications in liver transplantation, it is still an invasive and unconventional treatment with high risk.1212 Chou AH, Wu VCC, Chen DY, Hung KC, Chang SH, Chu PH, et al. Outcome of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in patients with liver cirrhosis: A nationwide population-based cohort study. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2020;58(3):519-27. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejcts/ezaa089
https://doi.org/10.1093/ejcts/ezaa089...
The device is considered quite controversial, as it can often lead to unfavorable repercussions such as septic shock,1313 Gedik E, Çelik MR, Otan E, Di?li OM, Erdil N, Bay?nd?r Y, et al. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation after living-related liver transplant. Exp Clin Transplant. 2015;13(Suppl 1):290-3. https://doi.org/10.6002/ect.mesot2014.p136
https://doi.org/10.6002/ect.mesot2014.p1...
,1818 Romano DN, Smith NK, Itagaki S, Bekki Y, Gunasekaran G, Zerillo J. A case report of venoarterial ECMO as salvage therapy for prolonged cardiac arrest following post-reperfusion intracardiac thrombosis during orthotopic liver transplantation. Semin Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2021;25(1):62-6. https://doi.org/10.1177/1089253220952628
https://doi.org/10.1177/1089253220952628...
excessive intraoperative bleeding,55 Voulgarelis S, Hong JC, Zimmerman MA, Kim J, Scott JP. A novel escalation from veno-venous bypass to veno-venous ECMO during orthotopic liver transplantation. A case report. Perfusion. 2021;36(8):861-3. https://doi.org/10.1177/0267659120973592
https://doi.org/10.1177/0267659120973592...
infection,2121 Sheckley M, Calderon E, Patel BM, Sen A, Giorgakis E, Hewitt WR, et al. Utilization of veno-arterial extracorporeal life support for acute respiratory distress syndrome after liver transplant. Exp Clin Transplant. 2022;20(6):616-20. https://doi.org/10.6002/ect.2020.0068
https://doi.org/10.6002/ect.2020.0068...
renal failure,1919 Goussous N, Akbar H, LaMattina JC, Hanish SI, Barth RN, Bruno DA. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support following liver transplantation-A case series. Clin Transplant. julho de 2019;33(7):e13628. https://doi.org/10.1111/ctr.13628
https://doi.org/10.1111/ctr.13628...
,3131 Lauterio A, Bottiroli M, Cannata A, DE Carlis R, Valsecchi M, Perricone G, et al. Successful recovery from severe inverted Takotsubo cardiomyopathy after liver transplantation: The efficacy of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Minerva Anestesiol. 2022;88(3):199-201. https://doi.org/10.23736/s0375-9393.21.16140-1
https://doi.org/10.23736/s0375-9393.21.1...
heart failure3131 Lauterio A, Bottiroli M, Cannata A, DE Carlis R, Valsecchi M, Perricone G, et al. Successful recovery from severe inverted Takotsubo cardiomyopathy after liver transplantation: The efficacy of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Minerva Anestesiol. 2022;88(3):199-201. https://doi.org/10.23736/s0375-9393.21.16140-1
https://doi.org/10.23736/s0375-9393.21.1...
and internal bleeding.1919 Goussous N, Akbar H, LaMattina JC, Hanish SI, Barth RN, Bruno DA. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support following liver transplantation-A case series. Clin Transplant. julho de 2019;33(7):e13628. https://doi.org/10.1111/ctr.13628
https://doi.org/10.1111/ctr.13628...
,3434 Kumar L, Balakrishnan D, Varghese R, Surendran S. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for post-transplant hypoxaemia following very severe hepatopulmonary syndrome. BMJ Case Rep. 2017;bcr-2017-221381. https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2017-221381
https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.84935...
Due to the intrinsic risks, the therapeutic modality is a treatment of the last choice and should be carefully evaluated as to its necessity.3535 Baran DA. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and the critical cardiac patient. Curr Transplant Rep. 2017;4(3):218-25. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40472-017-0158-5
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40472-017-0158-...
Seo et al. presented data on the treatment of ARDS by ECMO, with survival rates in this scenario below 20%.66 Seo DJ, Yoo JS, Kim JB, Jung SH, Choo SJ, Chung CH, et al. Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for postoperative acute respiratory distress syndrome. Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2015;48(3):180-6. https://doi.org/10.5090/kjtcs.2015.48.3.180
https://doi.org/10.5090/kjtcs.2015.48.3....
Chou et al., on the other hand, described a 92.6% mortality rate. Since it is a last-line treatment, it is difficult to distinguish between deaths resulting from ECMO and deaths that occurred due to the severity of the liver disease, in which the intervention did not influence the evolution.22 Lee KW, Cho CW, Lee N, Choi GS, Cho YH, Kim JM, et al. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support for refractory septic shock in liver transplantation recipients. Ann Surg Treat Res. 2017;93(3):152-8. https://doi.org/10.4174/astr.2017.93.3.152
https://doi.org/10.4174/astr.2017.93.3.1...
,66 Seo DJ, Yoo JS, Kim JB, Jung SH, Choo SJ, Chung CH, et al. Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for postoperative acute respiratory distress syndrome. Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2015;48(3):180-6. https://doi.org/10.5090/kjtcs.2015.48.3.180
https://doi.org/10.5090/kjtcs.2015.48.3....
,1212 Chou AH, Wu VCC, Chen DY, Hung KC, Chang SH, Chu PH, et al. Outcome of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in patients with liver cirrhosis: A nationwide population-based cohort study. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2020;58(3):519-27. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejcts/ezaa089
https://doi.org/10.1093/ejcts/ezaa089...
,1313 Gedik E, Çelik MR, Otan E, Di?li OM, Erdil N, Bay?nd?r Y, et al. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation after living-related liver transplant. Exp Clin Transplant. 2015;13(Suppl 1):290-3. https://doi.org/10.6002/ect.mesot2014.p136
https://doi.org/10.6002/ect.mesot2014.p1...
,1818 Romano DN, Smith NK, Itagaki S, Bekki Y, Gunasekaran G, Zerillo J. A case report of venoarterial ECMO as salvage therapy for prolonged cardiac arrest following post-reperfusion intracardiac thrombosis during orthotopic liver transplantation. Semin Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2021;25(1):62-6. https://doi.org/10.1177/1089253220952628
https://doi.org/10.1177/1089253220952628...
,1919 Goussous N, Akbar H, LaMattina JC, Hanish SI, Barth RN, Bruno DA. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support following liver transplantation-A case series. Clin Transplant. julho de 2019;33(7):e13628. https://doi.org/10.1111/ctr.13628
https://doi.org/10.1111/ctr.13628...
,2929 Nayyar D, Man HSJ, Granton J, Gupta S. Defining and characterizing severe hypoxemia after liver transplantation in hepatopulmonary syndrome. Liver Transpl. 2014;20(2):182-90. https://doi.org/10.1002/lt.23776
https://doi.org/10.1002/lt.23776...
,3131 Lauterio A, Bottiroli M, Cannata A, DE Carlis R, Valsecchi M, Perricone G, et al. Successful recovery from severe inverted Takotsubo cardiomyopathy after liver transplantation: The efficacy of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Minerva Anestesiol. 2022;88(3):199-201. https://doi.org/10.23736/s0375-9393.21.16140-1
https://doi.org/10.23736/s0375-9393.21.1...

It is clear that a large number of case reports compromises the level of evidence of the article, due to the impossibility of evaluating measures of effect. However, the use of ECMO for the management of complications of liver disease is a recent therapeutic modality, with few published studies of impact and adequate sample size.

CONCLUSION

It is concluded that ECMO can be a useful therapeutic modality for managing various scenarios in the pre-, intra- and postoperative period of liver transplantation. However, due to its risks, a measured use of this cardiopulmonary therapy is necessary, since it is associated with several complications, such as bleeding and sepsis. More studies of the use of ECMO during this period are needed to create more detailed protocols to ensure that the application is effective and safe.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Not applicable.

  • Como citar: Zoby HN, Falcão LBOA, Correia LCB, Rêgo MVAS, Wanderley GV, Vilachan FPG, Lima CVO, Costa LRO, Silva HRS, Fonseca Neto OCL. Uso de Oxigenação por Membrana Extracorpórea no Transplante Hepático: Uma Revisão Integrativa. BJT. 2023.26 (01):e0323. https://doi.org/10.53855/bjt.v26i1.490_PORT
  • FUNDING

    Not applicable.

AVAILABILITY OF RESEARCH DATA

All data sets were generated or analyzed in the current study.

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Edited by

Section editor: Ilka de Fátima Santana F Boin https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1165-2149

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    13 Sept 2024
  • Date of issue
    2023

History

  • Received
    26 Oct 2022
  • Accepted
    15 Dec 2022
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