Abstract Introduction Status asthmaticus refractory to conventional therapy can lead to life-threatening respiratory failure. Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) is a potentially life-saving intervention for this population, but current literature is limited. We hypothesized that patients with status asthmaticus who received VV ECMO would have favorable survival rates. Methods We performed a single-center retrospective review of adult patients (≥18 years) supported with VV ECMO for status asthmaticus between January 2014 and January 2025. Patients were identified through our Lung Rescue Unit database. Clinical characteristics, outcomes, and scoring metrics (PRESET, RESP, SOFA, SAPS II, and GCS) were analyzed. The primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge. Results Fifteen patients met inclusion criteria (median age 32 years; 53% male). The survival rates for status asthmaticus (86.7%; n = 13/15) and our overall VV ECMO cohort (78.0%; n = 439/563) were not statistically significant (p = 0.42). Survivors of status asthmaticus had longer mean hospital stays (16 vs 5 days) and were less likely to have had a cardiac arrest prior to ECMO initiation (7% vs 100%), compared to non-survivors. Mean pre-cannulation pH was 7.08, and mean paCO2 was 81 mmHg. Scoring systems suggested high expected survival: mean scores were RESP 3, SOFA 8, SAPS II 28, and PRESET 5. Compared to the broader institutional VV ECMO cohort, status asthmaticus patients had shorter ECMO durations and lower tracheostomy rates (13% vs 15%). Conclusions VV ECMO is a viable therapy for patients with status asthmaticus refractory to conventional management, with our center’s survival rate approaching 90%. Further research is needed to refine selection criteria and optimize outcomes in this population. This abstract is funded by: None
Robbins et al. (Fri,) studied this question.