Timing of ECMO Initiation Impacts Survival in Influenza-Associated ARDS

In the past decade, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has emerged as an innovative therapy for influenza-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Despite its promising results, the ideal timing of ECMO initiation for these patients remains unclear. Retrospective analysis of a single institution experience with venovenous ECMO for influenza-induced ARDS was performed. Twenty-one patients were identified and categorized into early (0-2 days), standard (3-6 days), or late (more than 7 days) cannulation cohorts. Patients cannulated within 48 hours of admission had 80% survival rate at 90 days. Comparatively, the standard and late cannulation cohorts had an observed 90-day survival rate of 60 and 16.7%, respectively.