A 2-year multicenter, observational, prospective, cohort study on extracorporeal CO2 removal in a large metropolis area

Background Extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECCO.sub.2R) is a promising technique for the management of acute respiratory failure, but with a limited level of evidence to support its use outside clinical trials and/or data collection initiatives. We report a collaborative initiative in a large metropolis. Methods To assess on a structural basis the rate of utilization as well as efficacy and safety parameters of 2 ECCO.sub.2R devices in 10 intensive care units (ICU) during a 2-year period. Results Seventy patients were recruited in 10 voluntary and specifically trained centers. The median utilization rate was 0.19 patient/month/center (min 0.04; max 1.20). ECCO.sub.2R was started under invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) in 59 patients and non-invasive ventilation in 11 patients. The Hemolung Respiratory Assist System (Alung) was used in 53 patients and the iLA Activve iLA kit (Xenios Novalung) in 17 patients. Main indications were ultraprotective ventilation for ARDS patients (n = 24), shortening the duration of IMV in COPD patients (n = 21), preventing intubation in COPD patients (n = 9), and controlling hypercapnia and dynamic hyperinflation in mechanically ventilated patients with severe acute asthma (n = 6). A reduction in median V.sub.T was observed in ARDS patients from 5.9 to 4.1 ml/kg (p