BACKGROUND
To assess the safety and feasibility of imaging of the brain with a point-of-care (POC) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system in patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Early detection of acute brain injury (ABI) is critical in improving survival for patients with ECMO support.
METHODS
Patients from a single tertiary academic ECMO center who underwent head CT (HCT), followed by POC brain MRI exams within 24 hours following HCT while on ECMO. Primary outcomes were safety and feasibility, defined as completion of MRI exam without serious adverse events (SAEs). Secondary outcome was the quality of MR images in assessing ABIs.
RESULTS
We report 3 consecutive adult patients (median age: 47 years; 67% male) with veno-arterial (n = 1) and veno-venous ECMO (n = 2) (VA- and VV-ECMO) support. All patients were imaged successfully without SAEs. Times to complete POC brain MRI exams were 34, 40, and 43 minutes. Two patients had ECMO suction events, resolved with fluid and repositioning. Two patients were found to have an unsuspected acute stroke, well visualized with MRI.
CONCLUSIONS
Adult patients with VA- or VV-ECMO support can be safely imaged with low-field POC brain MRI in the intensive care unit, allowing for the assessment of presence and timing of ABI.