Low-flow time and neurological outcomes in AMI patients undergoing ECPR: a retrospective cohort study

Background

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by refractory cardiac arrest (CA) carries extremely high mortality and neurological disability rates. Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is a rescue intervention for this population, but outcomes after its use vary widely across individuals. Low-flow time (the interval from initiation of chest compressions to establishment of stable ECMO flow) is an important prognostic factor among ECPR-treated patients. Its association with outcomes in Chinese patients with AMI-related CA remains incompletely characterized.