DOI: 10.31038/JCRM.1000106

Introduction

Hemolysis, defined as a rise in plasma-free hemoglobin (pfHb), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), or total bilirubin (TB) is a common complication of extracorporeal life support (ECLS) and results in increased morbidity and mortality. It has an incidence of 7.8–13% in pediatric patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) [1–3]. Contributing factors to hemolysis include presence of thrombi within the circuit, high negative inlet pressure, excessive pump speed and sheer stress on the red blood cells [4–6]. Furthermore, factors related to the oxygenator such as cavitation [7] and pressure changes within the oxygenator [8, 9], along with longer duration of ECMO support [10], are also known factors.

The major contributors of morbidity from hemolysis are its byproducts, specifically pfHg. pfHg has been reported to rise by as much as 10–25 fold during ECMO [11] and is known to be cytotoxic to cells leading to tissue hypoxia, and ultimately cell death [12, 13]. High pfHg levels have been associated with multi-organ failure [12, 14], including direct kidney injury and are predictors of acute renal failure for patients on ECMO [15, 16]. Furthermore, pfHg consumes vascular nitric oxide, leading to inappropriate vasoconstriction and platelet activation [12], further exacerbating already existing ischemic injury and potential for thrombi formation.

As a result of the above injury, hemolysis can result in increased blood product support, need for renal replacement therapy (RRT), prolonged ECMO, longer ICU and hospital stays, and higher mortality [17–19]. There have been several modifications and refinements to ECMO circuitry to mitigate the risk of hemolysis, but it nevertheless remains a significant source of morbidity [3, 6]. In this mini-review, we discuss potential therapeutic modalities for management of hemolysis in ECMO.

Exchange Transfusion

Exchange transfusion (ET) has been an established treatment for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, immune and non-immune red cell hemolysis, and severe sepsis [20]. The basic principle of an exchange transfusion is to remove the patient’s red cells, in pre-determined aliquots while transfusing back equal amounts of donor whole blood. This process not only removes circulating pfHb and TB but also draws out these byproducts that are deposited in tissue. Several variations exist in protocols for conducting ET in the neonatal population; including the size of aliquots (single vs double volume exchange) [20], route (peripheral vs. umbilical) [21], and method of exchange (continuous vs. push-pull) [22]. The primary aim of this therapy is remove bilirubin in the serum as well as partially hemolyzed an/or antibody-coated red blood cells. This therapy can be expanded to ECLS patients in an effort to reduce not just TB, but also PFHg to avoid secondary organ injury from hemolysis.

There is very little in the literature regarding ET for ECLS-related hemolysis with the exception of case reports [23]. Access points on the ECMO circuitry can be utilized for the removal and infusion of blood products, negating the need for additional access [23]. Mortality directly attributable to ET is estimated to be approximately 1% with described complications including cardiac arrhythmias due to acute electrolyte derangements, cardiac arrest, hemodynamic instability, or air embolism [24]. Frequent arterial blood gases (ABGs) should guide the clinician in electrolyte replacement or sweep adjustment to maintain normal physiologic parameters [23].

There is no established consensus or guidelines on bilirubin, PFHg, or LDH threshold or signs of secondary organ for initiation of ET. Currently, the decision to perform ET is based on institutional experiences at the discretion of the ICU/ ECMO teams. Given that the development of complication such as acute kidney injury (AKI) and need for RRT, are associated with worsening outcomes and decreased survival in both adult and pediatric populations [25–27], we argue for earlier implementation of ET prior to development of secondary organ injury.

Plasma Exchange

Plasma exchange (PE) is performed by selectively removing plasma and replacing with either human serum albumin or fresh frozen plasma, chosen on the basis of the indication for PE and pathogenic factors contributing to a patient’s specific disease process [28, 29]. Similar to ET, PE can significantly reduce PFHg and TB and its early use has been shown to prevent acute renal failure [30–33]. Utilization of PE has been reported for severe intravascular hemolysis [34], severe hemolysis during cardiopulmonary bypass [35], antibody mediated rejection after heart transplant on ECMO [36], and thrombocytopenia-associated multi-organ failure on ECMO [37].

Similar to ET, the plasma filtration device can be connected in-line to the ECMO circuit [38] with an aim to exchange 1.5–2 times the estimated plasma volume. Complications of PE on ECMO include access malfunction, circuit complications including clotting, hypotension, and/or hypocalcemia [38]. PE can also cause a severe coagulopathy if replacement is with albumin and not FFP. Close monitoring of PT/PTT is needed. A single center study reported that 27.6% of patients undergoing PE on ECMO, experienced citrate-associated hypocalcemia and 34.2% developed hypotension [39]. Cortina et al reported 50% survival to discharge in patients requiring CRRT and ECMO who underwent PE [38]. Despite these findings, the authors concluded that simultaneous ECMO and PE is both tolerable and feasible in children and adults. However, it cannot be emphasized enough that continuous hemodynamic and ABG monitoring still remains essential during the procedure regardless of whether an ET or PE is being performed.

Circuit Exchange

Prolonged ECMO can also result in ECMO circuit induced fibrinolysis, oxygenator thrombosis, or pump head thrombosis. All of which contribute to development of hemolysis as red cells undergo microangiopathic destruction due to injury from microthrombi [40]. Circuit induced fibrinolysis typically occurs in circuits that are at least one week old with associated laboratory findings of rising D-dimer and decreasing fibrinogen levels with or without abnormal bleeding and increased blood product requirements. Oxygenator thrombosis can manifest as increased transmembrane pressures, visible clots on the pre- or post-oxygenator membrane, and/or decreasing oxygenator function manifesting as low post-oxygenator PaO2. Lastly, pump head thrombosis results in a rise in PFHg and inefficient revolutions per minute (RPM) to flow ratios [40].

Pan et al examined the reason for ECMO circuit changes with respect to PFHg [40]. The most common reasons were clinically significant thrombosis or hemolysis, occurring in 14/27 (52%) runs requiring an exchange. The authors also found an association between higher PFHg value and CRRT requirements, longer time on ECMO, and higher mortality rates. The decision to perform a circuit exchange is nearly always driven by clinical status of the patient and discussion between the ICU and ECMO teams rather than any singular laboratory value or circuit finding. The obvious risks to undergoing circuit exchange is a transient withdrawal of ECLS support, exposure to new foreign surfaces with risk of activation of the coagulation cascade, and platelet dysfunction [41]. Balancing these risks with ongoing hemolysis should be made on a case by base basis.

Summary

Hemolysis is a common complication of ECMO therapy, due to its associated morbidities and affect on mortality. Hemolysis may be managed by ET, PE, and/or circuit exchange. However, each of these procedures is accompanied by substantial risks. The patients are typically physiologically frail and have minimal reserve to tolerate accumulating complications, especially those relating to secondary organ injury from hemolysis. There is a paucity of literature on the indications, outcomes, and complications from performing these interventions. Furthermore, there is no data comparing these different approaches. A concerted effort by the medical community is needed to systematically appraise these procedures and to standardize the techniques utilized to perform them in the setting of ECMO in order to minimize their associated risks, while optimizing the benefit.

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