Physical function after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in patients pre or post heart transplantation An observational study.
OBJECTIVE To describe physical function, leg complications and health related quality of life (HRQOL) in the three months following extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) pre or post heart transplantation (HTx) BACKGROUND Little is known about functional recovery following ECMO before or after HTx. METHODS A 2 year retrospective study in patients who received ECMO pre or post HTx. Strength, mobility, leg complications and HRQOL were recorded to hospital discharge. Six minute walk distance (6MWD) was assessed at hospital discharge and 3 months. RESULTS 25 patients were included, with 80% (20/25) survival to hospital discharge. At ICU discharge, strength and mobility were poor but improved by hospital discharge (p 0.001) despite leg complications in 44% (11/25) of patients. The 6MWD improved over time (mean 203 m, 95% confidence interval 140 265) HRQOL scores were lower than Australian norms (p 0.05) CONCLUSION Patients requiring ECMO pre or post HTx had impaired physical function at ICU discharge and leg complications were common.
Heart lung the journal of critical care