Incremental Improvements in ECMO-The Pursuit of Perfection.

The use of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-V ECMO) has dramatically increased, transforming from a fringe and frequently futile intervention into an indispensable tool for patients with severe pulmonary insufficiency. 1 Goligher E.C. Tomlinson G. Hajage D. et al. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome and posterior probability of mortality benefit in a post hoc bayesian analysis of a randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2018; 320: 2251-2259https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2018.14276 Crossref PubMed Scopus (279) Google Scholar Since 2020, over 24,000 V-V ECMO-supported cases have been reported by 282 centers to the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization. 2 Tonna J.E. Abrams D. Brodie D. et al. Management of adult patients supported with venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO): guideline from the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO). ASAIO J. 2021; 67: 601-610https://doi.org/10.1097/MAT.0000000000001432 Crossref PubMed Scopus (135) Google Scholar Optimal Position of a Femorojugular Cannulation for Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Acute Respiratory Distress SyndromeThe Annals of Thoracic SurgeryVol. 115Issue 4PreviewThis study aimed to determine the optimal position of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-V ECMO) draining cannulas for refractory respiratory failure based on short-term clinical results. Full-Text PDF