Introduction

Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support has been used for respiratory insufficiency. Its role in blood oxygenation has been well documented. However, the effects on myocardial electrophysiology have not been studied in detail. Aim: To reveal the acute effects of extracorporeal support on new electrocardiography (ECG) parameters in patients with preserved left ventricular functions.

Material and methods

This retrospective study was conducted in three separate clinics. Sixteen consecutive patients under veno-venous ECMO for respiratory insufficiency who soon could be successfully weaned were analyzed. Immediately before and 2 hours after initiation of ECMO, ECG was performed. P wave, QT, QTc and T wave peak to end were measured and calculated from obtained surface 12-lead ECG.

Results

There were statistically significant differences immediately before and 2 hours after initiation of ECMO treatment in the Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QTc ratio, the maximum QTc, minimum QTc, and QTc dispersion values, and P wave dispersion (p < 0.0001 for each). All ECG parameters were significantly decreased with ECMO support.

Conclusions

All atrial and ventricular repolarization parameters were decreased in patients with VV-ECMO support. Despite the limited role of ECMO in intractable arrhythmias, the findings of the study revealed that ECMO therapy for respiratory insufficiency may improve atrial ventricular depolarization and repolarization. Therefore, simple 12-lead surface ECG with new ECG parameters may be evaluated for better outcomes.