Plasticizer di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) release in wet-primed extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) circuits

A wet-primed ready-to-use extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) circuit is used in some centres for rapid deployment of ECMO during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Yet, the potential release of plasticizer di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) from the polyvinyl chloride tubing in the circuit during storage is a concern. In this study, a high performance liquid chromatography method was used to determine the concentration of DEHP in the priming solution (Plasmalyte®) from an ECMO circuit stored for up to 14 days at 8 °C. No accumulation of DEHP in the circulating fluid was detected. The results provide important information for centres where ECMO circuits are kept wet-primed prior to clinical use.