Anticoagulation during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: A narrative review

Abstract

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is a technology that offers organ support for critically ill patients with respiratory and/or cardiac failure. Despite improvements in recent years in technology and the biocompatibility of circuits, patients on ECMO remain at high risk of hematologic complications, such as bleeding or thrombosis. Anticoagulation is required in most cases to limit the risk of clotting, but questions persist regarding the optimal anticoagulation strategy. More precisely, there is still debate around the best anticoagulation agent and monitoring tools as well as on the transfusion thresholds and appropriate corrective measures when faced with complications. This narrative review provides an overview of hemostasis on ECMO and the impact of circuit size and coating. The benefits and downsides of unfractionated heparin (UHF) and Direct Thrombin Inhibitors (DTIs) as anticoagulation agents are reviewed. Finally, commonly available coagulation tests (activated clotting time, activated partial thrombin time, anti-Xa, and viscoelastic tests) and their limitations are addressed. In conclusion, future research is needed to determine the best anticoagulation strategy for patients on ECMO.