A RECENT study has shed light on the effects of obesity on patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), which is a critical intervention used when all other treatment methods fail. Despite the unique challenges posed by patients who are obese, including difficulties with positioning, anatomical landmark identification, and restricted radiology scans, the study found no significant impact of obesity on the outcomes of ECMO procedures.
Researchers conducted a comprehensive search across PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases to identify relevant studies published until July 2023. Out of 345 studies screened, 18 met the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. The study aimed to evaluate the association between obesity and various outcomes, including survival rates, duration of ECMO procedure, length of hospital stay, and duration of ventilation support.
The meta-analysis revealed that obesity does not significantly affect survival outcomes after ECMO. No significant differences were observed between individuals who are obese and non-obese in terms of other parameters, like duration of ECMO procedure (standardised mean difference [SMD]: 0.07; CI: -0.03–0.17), length of hospital stay (SMD: -0.03; CI: -0.19–0.12), and duration of ventilation support (SMD: -0.10; CI: -0.44–0.24).
The findings of this meta-analysis suggest that obesity does not adversely impact survival or other key outcomes for patients undergoing ECMO. Despite the inherent challenges with ECMO in managing patients who are obese, the procedure appears to be equally effective across different body weights.
This study provides reassurance that ECMO can be effectively utilised in patients who are obese, without compromising the quality of care or outcomes, highlighting the importance of inclusive treatment protocols in critical care settings. Future research may focus on further refining ECMO techniques to optimise care for obese patients and address any specific challenges encountered in clinical practice.
Aleksandra Zurowska, EMJ
Reference
Huang X, Lin X. Impact of obesity on outcomes of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Pulm Med. 2024;24:157.
