Prophylactic Transfusion Strategies in Children Supported by Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: The Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Anticoagulation CollaborativE Consensus Conference

Objectives: To derive systematic-review informed, modified Delphi consensus regarding prophylactic transfusions in neonates and children supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) from the Pediatric ECMO Anticoagulation CollaborativE.

Data sources: A structured literature search was performed using PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library (CENTRAL) databases from January 1988 to May 2020, with an update in May 2021.

Study selection: Included studies assessed use of prophylactic blood product transfusion in pediatric ECMO.

Data extraction: Two authors reviewed all citations independently, with a third independent reviewer resolving conflicts. Thirty-three references were used for data extraction and informed recommendations. Evidence tables were constructed using a standardized data extraction form.

Measurements and main results: The evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system. Forty-eight experts met over 2 years to develop evidence-informed recommendations and, when evidence was lacking, expert-based consensus statements or good practice statements for prophylactic transfusion strategies for children supported with ECMO. A web-based modified Delphi process was used to build consensus via the Research And Development/University of California Appropriateness Method. Consensus was based on a modified Delphi process with agreement defined as greater than 80%. We developed two good practice statements, 4 weak recommendations, and three expert consensus statements.

Conclusions: Despite the frequency with which pediatric ECMO patients are transfused, there is insufficient evidence to formulate evidence-based prophylactic transfusion strategies.