Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) allows cardiac or respiratory support as a last resort in patients in a very serious situation. It is a complex technique that is often associated with complications and, for this reason, having highly experienced professionals is key to ensure success. In this context, Vall d'Hebron and the company Medical Simulator have created a simulator, Hybrids VITA, based on real clinical cases, to assist in ECMO training. The device, a successful case of innovation at Vall d'Hebron, has the scientific leadership of Dr. Jordi Riera, director of the adult ECMO program at Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and principal investigator of the research group on Shock, Organ Dysfunction and Resuscitation at Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) and with the support of the Innovation Unit of VHIR.

Hybrids VITA is a simulator that helps the training of healthcare professionals who will work with ECMO in their clinical practice, such as intensive care medicine, cardiology, cardiac surgery, anesthesiology, transplant coordination and nursing, both in pediatric and adult settings. The device, connected to the ECMO device, makes it possible to simulate clinical cases as close as possible to reality. "It is a unique opportunity to provide training on how to prevent, diagnose early and treat possible complications that may arise, which are often serious, such as hemorrhages, thrombosis or infections", says Dr. Jordi Riera. "This is proof that innovation, in this case aimed at teaching, can have a direct impact on patients, as it will help to improve the care they receive from professionals", he adds.

To create Hybrids VITA, the team has incorporated previous experience in clinical practice, with the adaptation of real cases of patients treated in the ICU of Vall d'Hebron, which is a differential feature with respect to other similar devices. Furthermore, both the development and the clinical content of the simulator are adapted to the international recommendations of the international reference society ELSO, so that it is a device that is modelled according to the clinical context and scientific evidence. For example, developmental elements related to respiratory support during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently related to circulatory support were included following publications on cardiorespiratory arrest support (ECPR).

The Hybrids VITA project began 6 years ago, and since then it has incorporated new features and clinical cases. Now work continues on its technological advancement, the incorporation of new clinical cases and the creation of a virtual format version, already available. It has recently been registered as a utility model.

Currently, Vall d'Hebron is offering training courses with Hybrids VITA, such as ECMOBARNA course, and other international centers have also begun to acquire the simulator. In addition, it is being used at leading congresses of international societies related to the critical patient, such as the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine, which is holding its annual congress this year in Barcelona. Both at this congress and at other international events, the simulator used for ECMO training is the Hybrids VITA.

Discover more about the Hybrids VITA simulator on this video (in Catalan).

Vall d'Hebron, a leading center in ECMO

Vall d'Hebron is a leading center in ECMO. From the healthcare point of view, we manage more than 100 cases per year and more than 550 adult patients in total, with an average survival rate higher than the international average. In relation to research, we lead scientific networks of international collaboration to advance knowledge of the technique, and we prepare guidelines for recommendations on its use. We also play an active role in teaching, with the organization of training sessions, and in innovation, for example, with the creation of Hybrids VITA, which is one of the leading international ECMO teaching teams.