Malnutrition in Adult Patients on VA ECMO
Author Information
Author(s): Pelekhaty Stacy MS, RDN, LDN, Gessler Julie RDN, LDN, Baer Devon RDN, LDN, Rector Raymond CCP, Plazak Michael PharmD, BCCP, Bathula Allison PharmD, BCCP, Wells Chris PhD, PT, CCS, FCCM, Shah Aakash MD, Grazioli Alison MD, Taylor Bradley MD, Griffith Bartley P. MD, Rabin Joseph MD
Primary Institution: University of Maryland Medical Center
Hypothesis
What is the association between malnutrition and outcomes in adult patients requiring venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)?
Conclusion
Malnutrition is associated with prolonged duration of VA ECMO in adult patients.
Supporting Evidence
- Malnutrition at any point was associated with longer duration of ECMO.
- Patients with hospital-acquired malnutrition required a 50% longer duration of ECMO.
- Preexisting malnutrition was associated with a nonsignificant increase in mortality.
Takeaway
Malnutrition can make patients on a special heart-lung machine called VA ECMO stay on it longer, which can be a problem.
Methodology
This study analyzed data from patients on VA ECMO, assessing malnutrition using the GLIM framework and comparing outcomes based on nutritional status.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the subjective nature of malnutrition assessments and the lack of biochemical markers for inflammation.
Limitations
The study was conducted at a single center, which may not represent all ECMO centers, and it was underpowered to fully explore the relationship between malnutrition and mortality.
Participant Demographics
The cohort was 68% male with a median age of 56 years and a median BMI of 29.9.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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