Open AccessGrowing Experience with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation as a Bridge to Lung Transplantation
Author(s) -
Alexis E. Shafii,
David P. Mason,
Chase R. Brown,
Nakul Vakil,
Douglas R. Johnston,
Kenneth R. McCurry,
Gösta Pettersson,
Sudish C. Murthy
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
asaio journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.961
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1538-943X
pISSN - 1058-2916
DOI - 10.1097/mat.0b013e31826417d8
Subject(s) - extracorporeal membrane oxygenation , medicine , lung transplantation , extracorporeal , transplantation , lung , oxygenation , respiratory failure , surgery , perfusion , acute respiratory failure , bridge to transplantation , bridge (graph theory) , intensive care medicine , anesthesia , cardiology , mechanical ventilation , heart transplantation
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is rarely used as a bridge to lung transplantation (BTT) because of its associated morbidity and mortality. However, recent advancements in perfusion technology and critical care have revived interest in this application of ECMO. We retrospectively reviewed our utilization of ECMO as BTT and evaluated our early and midterm results. Nineteen patients were placed on ECMO with the intent to transplant of which 14 (74%) were successfully transplanted. Early and midterm survival of transplanted patients was 75% (1 year) and 63% (3 years), respectively, with the most favorable results observed in interstitial lung disease patients supported in the venovenous configuration. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation-bridged transplant survival rates were equivalent to nonbridged recipients, but early morbidity and mortality are high and the failure to bridge to transplant is significant. Overall, successfully bridged patients can derive a tangible benefit, albeit with considerable consumption of resources.