Neuromonitoring Techniques in ECMO: A Critical Analysis and Implications for Nursing Practice
Alice Mones1, Marco Ventre, Ivan Trapin
1Author Affiliations: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery (Dr Mones), Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care (Drs Ventre and Trapin), IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy ; and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy (Drs Cosmai, Lopane, Cattani, Chiari, Mancin, and Mazzoleni).
Abstract:
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a critical life-support therapy for patients with severe cardiac and/or respiratory failure, but it carries a significant risk of neurological complications. This narrative review evaluates neuromonitoring techniques, including electroencephalography, near-infrared spectroscopy, transcranial Doppler, somatosensory evoked potentials, and pupillometry, highlighting their clinical utility, limitations, and relevance for nursing practice. Findings indicate that a multimodal neuromonitoring approach improves early detection and management of neurological deterioration, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes. Standardized protocols and specialized nursing training are essential to optimizing neuromonitoring in ECMO patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Pulse rhythm
Conversely, an irregular pulse pattern is termed dysrhythmia, stemming from disruptions in cardiac...
01:19Respiratory Assessment: Purpose and Indications
Objectives and Importance:
The primary goal of respiratory assessment is to evaluate patients at early risk of clinical deterioration. Since respiratory distress often precedes other signs of declining health, breathing patterns and sounds become a...