Prognosis of patients with fulminant myocarditis managed by peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membranous oxygenation support: a retrospective single-center study

BACKGROUND: Peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membranous oxygenation (ECMO) support is effective in patients with cardiogenic shock or fatal arrhythmia due to fulminant myocarditis. The clinical courses of fulminant myocarditis are still uncertain; therefore, it is difficult to determine the appropriate time for discontinuing ECMO or converting to a ventricular assist device. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognosis of patients with fulminant myocarditis managed by ECMO. METHODS: Twenty-two consecutive patients with fulminant myocarditis managed by peripheral venoarterial ECMO between 1999 and 2013 were enrolled. RESULTS: Survival to discharge was 59% (13 patients), and in-hospital mortality was 41% (9 patients). The age in the survivor group was significantly lower than that in the non-survivor group (survivor group vs. non-survivor group; 36.5 ± 4.1 vs. 60.2 ± 5.0 years, p = 0.001). Although the ECMO support duration was similar between the groups (181 ± 22 vs. 177 ± 31 h), the rate of complication related to ECMO was significantly lower in the survivor group (15.3% vs. 66.6%, p = 0.02). When comparing the laboratory data during ECMO management between the groups, the serum bilirubin level on day 7 was significantly lower in the survivor group (total: 4.6 ± 2.8 vs. 13.7 ± 10.8 mg/dL, p = 0.014; direct: 2.2 ± 0.5 vs. 9.8 ± 4.5 mg/dL, p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Fulminant myocarditis is associated with high mortality rates despite ECMO. An older age and complications related to ECMO are associated with poor prognosis.