INTRODUCTION: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is widely used to treat respiratory distress during cardiac or respiratory arrest; moreover, its use is being extended to a wide variety of clinical fields. In this study we assess the utility of ECMO in the management of airway obstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 15 patients underwent ECMO for airway obstruction. We retrospectively analyzed and evaluated the feasibility of ECMO in the treatment of airway problems. RESULTS: Seven patients received ECMO to facilitate respiration and promote stability during trachea surgery. In six cases ECMO ceased immediately following the operation; in the remaining case ECMO cessation was delayed due to post-operative ARDS. In three cases emergency ECMO was used in response to respiratory arrest; two patients died. In five cases ECMO was emergently inserted to prevent death, following airway blockade by massive hemoptysis. One patient was not discharged from the intensive care unit. Another patient was transferred to a general ward but died from other causes. CONCLUSION: ECMO is useful during anesthesia in patients at high risk of airway blockade, for example due to endobronchial bleeding, and during complex thoracic surgery. ECMO confers a safer environment during airway surgery, and its complication rate is acceptable.
INTRODUCTION: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is widely used to treat respiratory distress during cardiac or respiratory arrest; moreover, its use is being extended to a wide variety of clinical fields. In this study we assess the utility of ECMO in the management of airway obstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 15 patients underwent ECMO for airway obstruction. We retrospectively analyzed and evaluated the feasibility of ECMO in the treatment of airway problems. RESULTS: Seven patients received ECMO to facilitate respiration and promote stability during trachea surgery. In six cases ECMO ceased immediately following the operation; in the remaining case ECMO cessation was delayed due to post-operative ARDS. In three cases emergency ECMO was used in response to respiratory arrest; two patients died. In five cases ECMO was emergently inserted to prevent death, following airway blockade by massive hemoptysis. One patient was not discharged from the intensive care unit. Another patient was transferred to a general ward but died from other causes. CONCLUSION: ECMO is useful during anesthesia in patients at high risk of airway blockade, for example due to endobronchial bleeding, and during complex thoracic surgery. ECMO confers a safer environment during airway surgery, and its complication rate is acceptable.
Authors: György Lang; Bahil Ghanim; Konrad Hötzenecker; Thomas Klikovits; Jose Ramon Matilla; Clemens Aigner; Shahrokh Taghavi; Walter Klepetko Journal: Eur J Cardiothorac Surg Date: 2014-04-16 Impact factor: 4.191
Authors: Yang Qiu; Qiao Chen; Wei Wu; Shixin Zhang; Meng Tang; Ya Chen; Chao Zhang; Ni Zhou; Nan Jiang; Jianping Feng; Mei Xia; Haidong Wang Journal: Thorac Cancer Date: 2019-02-19 Impact factor: 3.500