Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: a ten-year experience

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a supportive therapy used for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We present outcome, clinical parameters, and complications in a cohort of 245 ARDS patients of whom 62 were treated with ECMO.

Data of all ARDS patients were prospectively collected between 1991 and 1999. Outcome and clinical parameters of patients treated with and without ECMO were evaluated.

One hundred thirty-eight patients were referred from other hospitals, 107 were primarily located in our hospital. About one fourth of these patients were treated with ECMO. The survival rate was 55% in ECMO patients and 61% in non-ECMO patients.

ECMO is a therapeutic option for patients with severe ARDS, likely to increase survival. However, a randomized controlled study proving its benefit is still awaited. Until the development of a causal or otherwise superior therapy ECMO should be used in selected patients.