PRecision Ecmo in CardIogenic Shock Evaluation

Venoarterial (VA) ECMO is a form of life support for patients with severe cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest. Although it can be lifesaving, currently many patients still die or have long term disability, such as weakness, shortness of breath and cognitive impairments, and it remains extremely expensive. It is important that new ways of identifying which patients will gain the most benefit from ECMO are found, while also avoiding costly futile use when it there is no benefit. The PRECISE Study is an Australian-led, nation-wide observational study that will investigate whether biomarkers can better guide decisions around to whom and how ECMO is delivered. The study will involve the collection of a small amount of blood (which would normally be discarded) at up to 4 different time points, including just prior to ECMO initiation, and also at days 1, 3, and 7 of ECMO support. These results will then be linked to a national registry which includes the important patient centred outcomes, such as disability at 6 months. This study will lead to the better support of a highly vulnerable population, and improve the efficiency of one of the most complex and costly interventions available.