At a glance
ClinicalIndex Comparison RecordStandardized by ClinicalIndex from the ClinicalTrials.gov record · verify against the source.
ECMO-Free Trial: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial
In Brief
A clinical study evaluating ECMO-free protocol and Usual Care for Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Complication. Completed, enrolled 225 participants across 8 sites in 2 countries.
Detailed Summary
Decannulation from venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) at the earliest and safest time would be expected to improve outcomes and reduce cost. Daily assessments for readiness to liberate from therapies have demonstrated success in other realms of critical care. A recent single-center study demonstrated that a protocolized daily assessment of readiness for liberation from VV-ECMO was feasible and did not raise any major safety concerns, but the effect of this protocolized daily assessment on clinical outcomes remains unclear. Further, the manner in which ECMO is provided, weaned, and discontinued varies significantly between centers, raising persistent concerns regarding widespread adoption of protocolized daily assessment of readiness for liberation from VV-ECMO. Data from large a randomized controlled trial is needed to compare the effects of a protocolized daily assessment of readiness for liberation from VV-ECMO versus usual care on duration of ECMO support and other clinical outcomes.
Study Details
Timeline
Arms & Interventions
For patients assigned to the ECMO-free protocol group, the study personnel will perform the ECMO-free protocol daily from enrollment until the first of death or ECMO decannulation; results will be recorded and shared with the treatment team. Final decisions regarding decannulation will be made by treating clinicians who are aware of the results of daily ECMO-free protocolized assessments.
For patients assigned to the usual care group, ECMO weaning and assessments of readiness for ECMO decannulation will be at the discretion of treating clinicians.
Interventions
All patients randomized to the ECMO-Free Protocol Group will receive a protocolized daily assessment of readiness for liberation from VV-ECMO, which will be initiated between 6:00 AM local time and 10:00 AM local time. If the patient is enrolled after 10:00 AM local time the ECMO-free protocol will begin the following calendar day. The ECMO-Free Protocol is a 3-step process of assessing readiness for liberation from VV-ECMO: a safety screen (Phase 1: ECMO-Free Safety Screen), titration of the non-ECMO fraction of inspired oxygen (Phase 2: Non-ECMO respiratory support titration), and a trial of cessation of sweep gas flow (Phase 3: ECMO-Free Trial).
All patients randomized to the Usual Care Group will undergo assessments of readiness for liberation, weaning, and decannulation at the discretion of the treatment team.