This narrative review summarizes the indications, technical aspects, management, and expected outcomes of ECMO support, primarily venovenous ECMO, in critically injured trauma patients.
This narrative review provides an overview of ECMO indications, management, and outcomes in critically injured trauma patients.
ABSTRACT: Over the past 10 years, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) use in trauma patients has increased significantly. This includes adult and pediatric trauma patients and even combat casualties. Most ECMO applications are in a venovenous (VV ECMO) configuration for acute hypoxemic respiratory failure or anatomic injuries that require pneumonectomy or extreme lung rest in a patient with insufficient respiratory reserve. In this narrative review, we summarize the most common indications for VV ECMO and other forms of ECMO support used in critically injured patients, underscore the importance of early ECMO consultation or regional referral, review the technical aspects of ECMO cannulation and management, and examine the expected outcomes for these patients. In addition, we evaluate the data where it exists to try to debunk some common myths surrounding ECMO management.
Flatley et al. (Mon,) conducted a review in Trauma patients requiring ECMO. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was evaluated. This narrative review summarizes the indications, technical aspects, management, and expected outcomes of ECMO support, primarily venovenous ECMO, in critically injured trauma patients.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: