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Situations Where ECMO Will Likely Fail
- As many EDs and ICUs begin to develop protocols for the use of ECMO, it is important to note select conditions when this therapy is unlikely to be succesful.
- Chronic respiratory or cardiac disease with no hope of recovery
- OHCA with prolonged no blood flow
- Severe aortic regurgitation
- Type A aortic dissection
- Refractoroy septic shock with preserved LV function
- Stem cell transplant patients
- Advanced age with ARDS
- Prolonged pre-ECMO mechanical ventilation (> 7 days)
- Center inexperienced with ECMO
References
Schmidt M, et al. Ten situations in which ECMO is unlikely to be successful. Intensive Care Med 2016; 42:750-752.