Extracorporeal CO2 Removal With the Hemolung RAS for Mechanical Ventilation Avoidance During Acute Exacerbation of COPD

This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of using the Hemolung RAS to provide low-flow extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECCO2R) as an alternative or adjunct to invasive mechanical ventilation for patients who require respiratory support due to an acute exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). It is hypothesized that the Hemolung RAS can be safely used to avoid or reduce time on invasive mechanical ventilation compared to COPD patients treated with standard-of-care mechanical ventilation alone. Eligible patients will be randomized to receive lung support with either the Hemolung RAS plus standard-of-care mechanical ventilation, or standard-of-care mechanical ventilation alone.

The Hemolung RAS provides low-flow ECCO2R using a single, 15.5 French dual-lumen catheter inserted percutaneously in the femoral or jugular vein. Low-flow ECCO2R offers an alternative or supplement to invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) for patients suffering from acute, reversible, hypercapnic respiratory failure. In contrast to invasive MV, low-flow ECCO2R provides partial ventilatory support independently of the lungs. The rationale for this study is that low-flow ECCO2R with the Hemolung RAS can be used to provide supplemental CO2 removal in COPD patients experiencing acute hypercapnic respiratory failure to either avoid or reduce time on invasive MV. In this patient population, avoidance or reduced time on invasive MV may have significant clinical benefit in reducing the many complications associated with invasive MV. The major complication risks of low-flow ECCO2R are associated with central venous catheterization and the need for anticoagulation during treatment. This study is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Hemolung RAS plus standard-of-care as compared to standard-of-care alone.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age ≥ 40 years
2. Confirmed diagnosis of underlying COPD or ACOS (Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome)
3. Experiencing acute hypercapnic respiratory failure
4. Informed consent from patient or legally authorized representative
5. Meets one of the three following criteria:

   1. Is at high risk of requiring intubation and invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) after at least one hour on NIV due to one or more of the following:

      * Respiratory acidosis (arterial pH \<= 7.25) despite NIV
      * Worsening hypercapnia or respiratory acidosis relative to baseline blood gases
      * No improvement in PaCO2 relative to baseline blood gases and presence of moderate or severe dyspnea
      * Presence of tachypnea \> 30 breaths per minute
      * Intolerance of NIV with failure to improve or worsening acidosis, dyspnea or work of breathing

      \*OR\*
   2. After starting NIV with a baseline arterial pH ≤ 7.25, shows signs of progressive clinical decompensation manifested by decreased mental capacity, inability to tolerate NIV, or increased or decreased respiratory rate in setting of worsened or unchanged acidosis.

      \*OR\*
   3. Currently intubated and receiving Invasive MV, meeting both of the following:

      * Intubated for ≤ 5 days (from intubation to time of consent), AND
      * Has failed a spontaneous breathing trial OR is deemed not suitable for a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) OR is deemed not suitable for extubation

Exclusion Criteria:

1. DNR/DNI order
2. Hemodynamic instability (mean arterial pressure \< 60 mmHg) despite infusion of vasoactive drugs
3. Acute coronary syndrome
4. Current presence of severe pulmonary edema due to Congestive Heart Failure
5. PaO2/FiO2 \< 120 mmHg on PEEP \>/= 5 cmH2O
6. Presence of bleeding diathesis or other contraindication to anticoagulation therapy
7. Platelet count \>= 100,000/mm3 not requiring daily transfusions to maintain platelet count above 100,000/mm3 at time of screening
8. Hemoglobin \>= 7.0 gm% not requiring daily transfusions to maintain hemoglobin count above 7.0 gm% at time of screening, and no active major bleeding
9. Unable to protect airway (e.g. unable to generate cough or clear secretions) or significant weakness or paralysis of respiratory muscles due to causes unrelated to acute exacerbation of COPD
10. Cerebrovascular accident, intracranial bleed, head injury or other neurological disorder likely to adversely affect ventilation or airway protection.
11. Hypersensitivity to heparin or history of previous heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT Type II)
12. Presence of a significant pneumothorax or bronchopleural fistula
13. Current uncontrolled, major psychiatric disorder
14. Current participation in any other interventional clinical study
15. Pregnant women (women of child bearing potential require a pregnancy test)
16. Neutropenic (absolute neutrophil count \< 1,00mm3, not transient) related to the presence or treatment of a malignancy; recent bone marrow transplant (within prior 8 months); current, uncontrolled AIDS.
17. Fulminant liver failure
18. Known vascular abnormality or condition which could complicate or prevent successful Hemolung Catheter insertion
19. Terminal patients not expected to survive current hospitalization
20. Requiring continuous home ventilation via a tracheostomyy
21. Any disease or condition that, in the judgment of the investigator, either places the subject at undue risk of complications from the Hemolung RAS device, or may reduce the subject's likelihood of benefitting from therapy with the Hemolung RASr