Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: care...

The aim of this study was to summarize the care modalities, experiences, and corresponding precautions of ECMO for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Seventy-three patients with acute exacerbations of COPD were enrolled, of whom 38 were treated with ECMO (experimental group) and 35 received conventional low-flow oxygen therapy, management of metabolic acidosis, infection control, bronchodilators for quick relief from severe spasms, and glucocorticoid-mediated suppression of inflammation (control group). The improvement in the patient's pulmonary ventilation and the incidence of complications were recorded.

PaCO₂ is lower in patients using ECMO, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and FEV1% are significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group, and the respiratory rate, heart rate, and CO₂ saturation are significantly lower in patients in the experimental group (i.e., the experimental group) after oxygenation than in the control group, pH and O₂ saturation are significantly higher in experimental group than in the control group, and the incidence of complications in experimental group is significantly higher than in the control group.

ECMO significantly improves gas exchange in patients, but also increases the incidence of complications with the extension of usage, so the duration of ECMO support should be monitored and the complications should be prevented.