Efficacy of veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in severe acute respiratory failure.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate our institutional experience with veno-venous (VV) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in patients with severe acute respiratory failure (ARF).

Materials And Methods: From January 2007 to August 2013, 31 patients with severe ARF that was due to various causes and refractory to mechanical ventilation with conventional therapy were supported with VV ECMO. A partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO₂)/inspired fraction of oxygen (FiO₂) <100 mm Hg at an FiO₂ of 1.0 or a pH <7.25 due to CO₂ retention were set as criteria for VV ECMO.

Results: Overall, 68% of patients survived among those who had received VV ECMO with a mean PaO₂/FiO₂ of 56.8 mm Hg. Furthermore, in trauma patients, early use of ECMO had the best outcome with a 94% survival rate.

Conclusion: VV ECMO is an excellent, life-saving treatment option in patients suffering from acute and life-threatening respiratory failure due to various causes, especially trauma, and early use of VV ECMO therapy improved outcomes in these patients.