Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is used as rescue therapy for refractory cardiopulmonary failure. Population-level evidence on prognosis and long-term sequelae in patients requiring ECLS during pregnancy or the peripartum period remains limited.

We performed a nationwide retrospective dual-cohort study using linked Taiwanese databases (2001–22). In the delivery cohort, 247 ECLS pregnancies were compared with 3 970 948 non-ECLS pregnancies. In the ECLS cohort, 247 pregnancy-associated ECLS cases were compared with 2112 non-pregnant women of reproductive age receiving ECLS. Outcomes included 42-day maternal mortality and complications, neonatal outcomes, and long-term maternal outcomes beyond 42 days postpartum.

The incidence of pregnancy-associated ECLS was 6.2 per 100 000 deliveries and increased over time (P trend <0.001). Leading indications were amniotic fluid embolism (26.7%), peripartum cardiomyopathy (18.6%), and respiratory failure (12.6%), with highest mortality in obstetric indications. Maternal mortality at 42 days was 41.3%, with renal failure (36.4%), major bleeding (11.3%) and stroke (10.9%) as major morbidities. Neonates had higher risks of preterm birth, low birth weight, and major morbidity. Beyond 42 days postpartum, ECLS-exposed pregnant patients had higher all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 28.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 16.8–46.8), cardiovascular mortality, permanent dialysis, and psychiatric disorders. In the ECLS cohort, pregnancy-associated ECLS had lower in-hospital mortality (43.7% vs 53.8%) and better long-term survival (aHR 0.42, 95% CI 0.23–0.78) than nonpregnant recipients.

Pregnancy-associated ECLS is rare but is increasing in incidence, and identifies a clinically high-risk population with substantial early maternal and neonatal risk. Multidisciplinary follow-up is required for survivors of pregnancy-associated ECLS in view of their ongoing risk of long-term cardiovascular, renal, and psychiatric sequelae.