Effect of Anemia on Prognosis in Patients on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Anemia is a component of the pathological triangle in cardiorenal anemia syndrome and is a risk factor for mortality in acute respiratory distress syndrome. This study assessed the predictive value of anemia for outcomes in critically ill patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. This retrospective study analyzed patients who received ECMO support at the cardiovascular surgery intensive care unit in the study institute between July 2003 and March 2012. Patient data, such as demographic information, etiologies of ECMO implementation, clinical parameters, and in-hospital and 6-month mortality rates, were statistically analyzed. The overall in-hospital mortality rate among the enrolled 295 patients was 55.6%. Multivariate logistical regression analysis indicated that age, albumin levels, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, and hemoglobin (Hb) level on ECMO day 1 exhibited independent prognostic significance for predicting in-hospital mortality rate. The SOFA score exhibited the highest areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve value (0.812 ± 0.025). The Hb level on ECMO day 1 exhibited satisfactory calibration and discriminatory power. The cumulative 6-month survival rates differed significantly between patients with Hb levels less than and more than 8.85 g/dL (30.6 vs. 54.0%, respectively, P < 0.001). This study indicated that old age, low albumin levels, low Hb levels, and higher SOFA scores on ECMO day 1 increased the risk of mortality. The Hb level is a readily measurable parameter and with good predictive power for critical patients on ECMO.