Prevention of pneumothorax using venovenous ECMO in acute respiratory distress syndrome with emphysematous/cystic changes in the lung

Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) is a treatment option for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) to minimize ventilator-induced lung injury including life- threatening pneumothorax. The purpose of our study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of VV ECMO for preventing pneumothorax in ARDS patients who were complicated with emphysematous/cystic changes in the lung.