ECMO

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life-saving technique that is widely being used in centers throughout the world. However, there is a paucity of literature surrounding the mechanisms affecting cerebral physiology while on ECMO. Studies have shown alterations in cerebral blood flow characteristics and subsequently autoregulation. Furthermore, the mechanical aspects of the ECMO circuit itself may affect cerebral circulation. The nature of these physiological/pathophysiological changes can lead to profound neurological complications...

Extracorporeal venovenous carbon dioxide removal (ECCO 2 R) is increasingly used to facilitate ultraprotective mechanical ventilation, or to prevent or avoid mechanical ventilation in selected patients. This review focuses on how extracorporeal devices clear CO 2 , their impact on native pulmonary physiology, and systemic gas exchange. Finally, we discuss the modifications to patient management required while on ECCO 2 R.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Aim of this article is to review evidence recently generated on the application of extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECCO2R) in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) requiring mechanical ventilation (invasive and non invasive) for hypercapnic respiratory failure. RECENT FINDINGS: To date, the paucity of evidences on ECCO2R to decrease the rate of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) failure and to wean hypercapnic patients from invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) precludes to systematically apply this technology to COPD patients...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: There has been expanding interest in and use of extracorporeal support in respiratory failure concurrent with technological advances and predominantly observational data demonstrating improved outcomes. However, until there is more available data from rigorous, high-quality randomized studies, the future of extracorporeal support remains uncertain. RECENT FINDINGS: Outcomes for patients supported with extracorporeal devices continue to show favorable trends...

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Continuous venovenous hemofiltration or hemodiafiltration is used frequently in pediatric patients, but experience of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) application on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) circuit is still limited. Among several methods used for applying CRRT on ECMO patients, we aim to share our experience on inclusion of a CRRT device in the ECMO circuit which we believe is easier and safer to apply. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data were collected on demographics, outcomes, and details of the treatment of ECMO patients who had CRRT...

The development of a successful extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) program requires an institutional commitment and the multidisciplinary cooperation of trained specialty personnel from nursing, internal medicine, anesthesiology, pulmonology, emergency medicine, critical care, and surgery and often pediatrics as well. The specialized training necessary to cultivate an integrated team capable of providing life-saving ECMO cannot be underestimated. The development of a successful ECMO program is best suited to a tertiary medical center that is centrally/regionally located and capable of financially supporting the level of expertise required as well as managing the program's overall cost effectiveness...

Major advances have been made in mechanical circulatory support in recent years. Venoarterial (VA) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides both pulmonary and circulatory support for critically ill patients with hemodynamic compromise, serving as a bridge to recovery or definitive therapy in the form of transplant or a durable ventricular assist device. In the past, VA ECMO support was used in cases of cardiogenic shock or failure to wean from cardiopulmonary bypass; however, the technology is now being applied to an ever-expanding list of conditions, including massive pulmonary embolism, cardiac arrest, drug overdose, and hypothermia...

Pulmonary and critical care physicians must be facile in recognition and management of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Part of the current critical care knowledge base must include an understanding of how extracorporeal membrane oxygenation fits into the paradigm of ARDS management without using it as a "salvage therapy." This article provides a basic understanding of the evolution of ARDS to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, recognizing benefits and limits of rescue therapies, indications and contraindications of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and coordination of care for severe respiratory failure...

Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is a rescue therapy in patients with severe cardiopulmonary failure. Often, cannulation is done emergently and the femoral vessels are most readily accessible for venous and arterial access. Unfortunately, complications with arterial femoral access can lead to devastating complications, primarily related to limb ischemia. A coordinated protocol of diligent limb examination by trained intensive care unit staff, near infrared spectroscopy monitoring of limbs, and placement of a distal perfusion catheter at the time of femoral cannulation or when signs of ischemia develop, can lead to successful limb salvage...

Extracorporeal life support is a modified form of cardiopulmonary bypass. Experience in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has come largely from the neonatal population. Most centers have transitioned the ECMO pumps from roller pumps to centrifugal technology. Modes of support include venovenous for respiratory support and venoarterial for cardiac support. "Awake" ECMO is the trend with extubation and tracheostomy on the rise. Fluid overload is common and managed with diuretics or hemofiltration...

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life-saving technique when patients require pulmonary and/or cardiac support for days to weeks for recovery, bridge to decision, or transplantation. Due to complications associated with ECMO, it is best to stay on ECMO as little time as necessary. Foremost is weaning from ECMO, but the post-ECMO period recapitulates the entire field of critical care. Identified issues include (1) potential for systemic inflammatory response syndrome post-decannulation; (2) post-ECMO complications, such as deep vein thrombosis, wounds, renal failure, and stroke; (3) delirium; (4) posttraumatic stress disorder; (5) rehabilitation; and (6) end of life...

The care of patients on extracorporeal corporeal oxygenation support takes a coordinated effort among the team of nurses, midlevel providers, perfusionists, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, and physicians. Attention on the details of the circuitry and its interactions with the patient, the resolution of the disease process and the ongoing plan of care, and unique issues in the intensive care unit are crucial for success.

Although the reasons for the recent growth in adult extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are multifactorial, much of the success may be attributed to the development of well-trained staff and the technological innovations in equipment and monitoring devices used during extracorporeal support. In this article, the authors discuss general educational formats for the ECMO bedside provider, staffing support models, and devices designed to best meet the needs of the patient while simultaneously ensuring the proper delivery of ECMO-related care...

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support for severe acute respiratory failure has been increasing. Evidence suggests that higher volume centers have better outcomes, leading to a need for specialized ECMO transport teams. The inherent nature of the prehospital environment adds an additional layer of complexity; however, the experience of multiple centers has demonstrated that cannulating and transporting a patient on ECMO can be performed safely. The purpose of this review article is to discuss the state of knowledge with respect to ECMO transport with special emphasis given to how to actually undertake such complex transports...

The need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy is a marker of disease severity for which multiple medications are required. The therapy causes physiologic changes that impact drug pharmacokinetics. These changes can lead to exposure-driven decreases in efficacy or increased incidence of side effects. The pharmacokinetic changes are drug specific and largely undefined for most drugs. We review available drug dosing data and provide guidance for use in the ECMO patient population.

Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for refractory acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a rapidly expanding technique. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the most recent literature to analyse complications and hospital mortality associated with this technique. Using the PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews and meta-analysis, MEDLINE and EMBASE were systematically searched for studies reporting complications and hospital mortality of adult patients receiving veno-venous ECMO for severe and refractory ARDS...

The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for respiratory failure in adults is growing rapidly, driven in large part by advances in technology, which have made ECMO devices easier to implement and safer and more efficient. Accompanying this increase in use is a nearly exponential increase in ECMO-related literature. However, the great majority of the literature is composed of retrospective observational data, often in the form of single-center studies with relatively small numbers of subjects. The overall lack of high-quality data, including prospective randomized trials, makes it difficult to justify the rate at which ECMO use is increasing and calls attention to the need for more rigorously designed studies...

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) has become well established technique of the treatment of severe acute respiratory failure (Veno-Venous ECMO) or circulatory failure (Veno-Arterial ECMO) which enables effective blood oxygenation and carbon dioxide removal for several weeks. Veno-Venous ECMO (V-V ECMO ) is a lifesaving treatment of patients in whom severe ARDS makes artificial lung ventilation unlikely to provide satisfactory blood oxygenation for preventing further vital organs damage and progression to death...

BACKGROUND: We evaluate the clinical feasibility of spontaneous breathing on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and the interactions between artificial and native lungs in patients bridged to lung transplant or with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or acute respiratory distress syndrome. METHODS: The clinical course of a total of 48 patients was analyzed. Twenty-three of 48 patients were enrolled in the prospective study (nine bridged to lung transplant, six COPD, and eight acute respiratory distress syndrome)...

OBJECTIVE: The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in adults with respiratory failure and sepsis is steadily increasing, but the knowledge on long-term survival in this group is scarce. The aim of the present study was to investigate the 5-year survival rates and causes of late death in this group of patients. DESIGN: Single-center retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. PATIENTS: Adult patients treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for respiratory failure and sepsis between the service being established for adults in 1995 and December 2013...