Antithrombin restriction in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support (ARES): A multidisciplinary approach.

Background

Antithrombin (AT) replacement is occasionally utilized in the setting of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)-associated heparin resistance. Although past studies emphasized the high costs and limited clinical benefit of AT supplementation,  guidance on strategies to prevent unnecessary use remain lacking.

Methods

In this retrospective study, we evaluated the cost, efficacy, and safety outcomes three years pre- and post-implementation of an AT restriction protocol in adult ECMO patients. The primary endpoint was the cost spent on anticoagulation and AT normalized to ECMO duration. Secondary endpoints included thromboembolic and bleeding outcomes.

Results

175 patients were included for analysis (pre-restriction protocol n = 87; post-restriction protocol n = 88). Implementation of the restriction resulted in complete elimination of AT use and significantly reduced the primary cost endpoint from $1009.20 to $42.99 per ECMO day (p < .001). There was no significant change in occurrence of new Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) (p = .099). Those in the pre-implementation group had significantly higher rates of transfusions (p < .001) and ISTH major bleeding (p < .001). Outcomes remained significant after exclusion of patients with coronavirus infections.

Conclusion

Results of this study exemplify how AT restriction can be successfully implemented to decrease anticoagulation-associated costs without jeopardizing the risk of bleeding and thrombosis in ECMO patients.