Carolien Volleman has received the BJA-ESAIC Early Career Grant 2025 for her translational project on Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
Reducing haemolysis-induced endothelial damage to protect kidney function during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO): a translational approach
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides organ support in case of potentially reversible cardiac and/or respiratory failure. Unfortunately, the complication rate during ECMO is high, with acute kidney injury (AKI) occurring in over 60% of patients. Haemolysis is
suggested to contribute to kidney injury, however, knowledge of the pathophysiology remains limited. In the current project, we aim to clarify the role of ECMO-induced haemolysis in causing endothelial damage and AKI and evaluate haptoglobin as a therapeutic strategy to mitigate these effects. We will investigate changes in circulating markers of haemolysis, endothelial damage and kidney injury in patients on ECMO support and assess their impact on renal endothelial function in vitro. Furthermore, we will study
haptoglobin as a therapeutic strategy in an ECMO rat model. Using a translational approach, we will improve our understanding of ECMO-related complications and offer novel strategies to protect kidney function in these critically ill patients.
Carolien Volleman
About the BJA-ESAIC Early Career Grant
The BJA-ESAIC Grants are a collaborative initiative between the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC) and the British Journal of Anaesthesia Charity. The aim of these grants is to support early career researchers in conducting high-quality anaesthesia-related studies that can improve clinical practice and patient outcomes.