Background:
Bleeding and thrombosis remain the primary complications related to the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). To date, no single test or parameter has been identified to accurately predict the risk of these hemostatic complications. Thrombin generation may be the key marker for both thrombosis and bleeding, and may be influenced by inflammation. The aims of this study were to evaluate if novel laboratory tests including thrombin generation assay, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), microparticles (MPs), and red blood cell (RBC) membrane fragility/adhesion could better predict patients at risk for bleeding and/or thrombosis compared to routine laboratory tests. We hypothesized that ECMO related thrombosis is associated with increased thrombin generation and ECMO related bleeding is associated with decreased thrombin generation.