Investigation of NeurologicalOutcomes in CriticallyIll Patients Under Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Treatment: Retrospective Observational Study

Ayşe Gül Koçoğlu Kınal; Zeynep Yildiz; Cigdem Isitan

doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1878269

Investigation of NeurologicalOutcomes in CriticallyIll Patients Under Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Treatment: Retrospective Observational Study

Abstract

Background: With the increasing use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), neurological complications are being encountered more frequently during patient follow-up. These complications significantly contribute to morbidity and mortality, underscoring the need for further investigation into preventive strategies. Aim: Neurological complications are common in patients receiving venoarterial ECMO (VA-ECMO); however, their incidence, spectrum, and prognostic significance remain incompletely characterized. This study aimed to identify risk factors, predictors of mortality, and neurological outcomes in comatose ECMO patients. Study Design: Retrospective observational study. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients admitted to a cardiovascular surgery intensive care unit between January 2019 and January 2024 who received ECMO support. Results: Among 189 patients, 31 (16.4%) developed neurological complications: 20 (64.5%) hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), 9 (29.0%) ischemic cerebrovascular events, and 2 (6.5%) hemorrhagic cerebrovascular events. Mortality was highest among patients with HIE (73.7%). Multivariable logistic regression identified two independent predictors of mortality: Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score <8 (OR = 77.25, 95% CI: 15.06–396.09, p < 0.001) and the presence of neurological complications (OR = 5.95, 95% CI: 1.35–26.25, p = 0.019). Conclusions: Neurological complications, particularly hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy, are frequent in VA-ECMO patients and are strongly associated with increased mortality. These findings highlight the importance of systematic neurological monitoring and early preventive strategies in this high-risk population.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

None

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Intensive Care

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Ayşe Gül Koçoğlu Kınal ^*
0000-0002-6905-9532
Türkiye

Zeynep Yildiz
0000-0002-4766-4125
Türkiye

Cigdem Isitan
0000-0002-1265-4592
United States

Publication Date

May 6, 2026

Submission Date

February 10, 2026

Acceptance Date

April 11, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 17 Number: April, May, June 2026

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1878269

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA36NM84ED

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Koçoğlu Kınal, A. G., Yildiz, Z., & Isitan, C. (2026). Investigation of NeurologicalOutcomes in CriticallyIll Patients Under Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Treatment: Retrospective Observational Study. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 17(April, May, June 2026). https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1878269

AMA

1.Koçoğlu Kınal AG, Yildiz Z, Isitan C. Investigation of NeurologicalOutcomes in CriticallyIll Patients Under Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Treatment: Retrospective Observational Study. Acibadem Univ Saglik Bilim Derg. 2026;17(April, May, June 2026). doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1878269

Chicago

Koçoğlu Kınal, Ayşe Gül, Zeynep Yildiz, and Cigdem Isitan. 2026. “Investigation of NeurologicalOutcomes in CriticallyIll Patients Under Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Treatment: Retrospective Observational Study”. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 17 (April, May, June 2026). https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1878269.

EndNote

Koçoğlu Kınal AG, Yildiz Z, Isitan C (May 1, 2026) Investigation of NeurologicalOutcomes in CriticallyIll Patients Under Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Treatment: Retrospective Observational Study. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 17 April, May, June 2026

IEEE

[1]A. G. Koçoğlu Kınal, Z. Yildiz, and C. Isitan, “Investigation of NeurologicalOutcomes in CriticallyIll Patients Under Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Treatment: Retrospective Observational Study”, Acibadem Univ Saglik Bilim Derg, vol. 17, no. April, May, June 2026, May 2026, doi: 10.31067/acusaglik.1878269.

ISNAD

Koçoğlu Kınal, Ayşe Gül - Yildiz, Zeynep - Isitan, Cigdem. “Investigation of NeurologicalOutcomes in CriticallyIll Patients Under Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Treatment: Retrospective Observational Study”. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 17/April, May, June 2026 (May 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1878269.

JAMA

1.Koçoğlu Kınal AG, Yildiz Z, Isitan C. Investigation of NeurologicalOutcomes in CriticallyIll Patients Under Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Treatment: Retrospective Observational Study. Acibadem Univ Saglik Bilim Derg. 2026;17. doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1878269.

MLA

Koçoğlu Kınal, Ayşe Gül, et al. “Investigation of NeurologicalOutcomes in CriticallyIll Patients Under Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Treatment: Retrospective Observational Study”. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 17, no. April, May, June 2026, May 2026, doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1878269.

Vancouver

1.Ayşe Gül Koçoğlu Kınal, Zeynep Yildiz, Cigdem Isitan. Investigation of NeurologicalOutcomes in CriticallyIll Patients Under Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Treatment: Retrospective Observational Study. Acibadem Univ Saglik Bilim Derg. 2026 May 1;17(April, May, June 2026). doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1878269