Unique static discharge events on two CentriMag® (2nd Gen) ECMO patients causing console failure

The use of ECMO for cardiovascular support continues to increase in the United States and around the world. It is not a benign endeavor as serious complications may occur.

We present our experience of two second generation CentriMag^® (Abbott formerly Thoratec Inc.) console failures that occurred while transporting the patients to other areas of the hospital. In each incident, the patients were immediately placed on back-up units and the transport continued. No patient complications could be attributed to the failures.

An investigation by Abbott engineers traced the failure to a static build-up and discharge caused by a non-manufacturer-approved metal rod that was utilized to mount the external monitor. The static discharge caused a disruption of electrical continuity between the control system and the motor, stopping the motor as well as the monitoring system.

Removal of the mounting rod prevented replication of the situation in the lab. We have removed the rod from our clinical units and have not experienced any other pump failures.