"Awake" Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation as a Bridge to Lung Transplant.

Mortality of patients awaiting lung transplant remains a significant problem as the number of patients on the waiting list far surpasses the number of donor organs available. Interest in the use of "awake" extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a bridge to lung transplant has emerged because this strategy offers several benefits over mechanical ventilation. This article provides a review of relevant literature and discusses indications and complications of awake ECMO therapy, cannulation strategies, and nursing considerations for this patient population.

Mechanical Ventilation in Patients with the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Treated with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Impact on Hospital and 30 Day Postdischarge Survival.

Mechanical ventilation support for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients involves the use of low tidal volumes and positive end-expiratory pressure. Nevertheless, the optimal ventilator strategy for ARDS patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy remains unknown. A retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of adult ARDS patients treated with V-V ECMO from October 2012 to May 2015 was performed.