Optimal reperfusion strategy in acute high-risk pulmonary embolism requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support: a systematic review and meta-analysis

TYPE: Late Breaking Abstract TOPIC: Pulmonary Vascular Disease PURPOSE: Optimal pulmonary revascularization strategy in acute high-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) requiring implantation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) remains controversial. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of available evidence comparing mechanical embolectomy and other strategies, including systemic or catheter-directed thrombolysis, or ECMO as stand-alone therapy, with regard to mortality and bleeding outcomes. RESULTS: We identified 835 studies;17 were included, comprising 353 PE ECMO-treated patients. Overall, 30.8% had mechanical pulmonary reperfusion, (of whom 89.9% surgical embolectomy), while 69.1% received other strategies. Mortality rate was 23.0% in the mechanical reperfusion group and 43.1% in the other strategy group. The pooled OR for mortality with mechanical reperfusion was 0.46 (95%CI, 0.213-0.997; I2 = 28.3%) versus other reperfusion strategies; and 0.37 (95% CI, 0.18-0.78; p = 0.009; I 2 = 14.8%) for any surgical embolectomy vs thrombolysis. The bleeding rate in ECMO patients was 29.1% in the mechanical reperfusion group and 26.0% in the other reperfusion group (OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.46-2.54; I2, 0.0%) among 10 eligible studies with available bleeding data. Meta-regression did not identify any relationship between the covariates “more than one pulmonary reperfusion therapy” and “ECMO implantation before pulmonary reperfusion therapy”, and associated outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this meta-analysis and meta-regression suggest that mechanical reperfusion, notably surgical embolectomy, yields favorable results regardless of the timing of ECMO implantation in the reperfusion timeline, and independent of thrombolysis administration. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Mechanical pulmonary reperfusion, especially surgical embolectomy, seems to be more effective than other strategies, especially thrombolysis, for mitigating mortality risk, at similar bleeding risk. DISCLOSURE: Grants from BMS/Pfizer, BSC, Amgen, Bayer, Janssen, Portola (GP); Honoraria from Getinge, Drager, Fresenius (MS); Honoraria from Abbott, BMS-Pfizer, Bayer, Edwards Lifesciences, Terumo (NM); Travel support from Daiichi Sankyo, Pfizer (ISC) KEYWORD: pulmonary embolism