Why the study?
ECMO use is increasing in critically ill obstetric patients, but managing pregnancy physiology and fetal oxygenation requires careful planning and adaptation.
ECMO is a feasible life support option for critically ill obstetric patients, provided that pregnancy-specific physiological adaptations and fetal oxygenation are carefully managed.
Supports cautious ECMO consideration in obstetric critical care; leaves open need for prospective data on protocols and outcomes.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has seen increasing use for critically ill pregnant and postpartum patients over the past decade. Growing experience continues to demonstrate the feasibility of ECMO in obstetric patients and attest to its favorable outcomes. However, the interaction of pregnancy physiology with ECMO life support requires careful planning and adaptation for success. Additionally, the maintenance of fetal oxygenation and perfusion is essential for safely continuing pregnancy during ECMO support. This review summarizes the considerations for use of ECMO in obstetric patients and how to address these concerns.
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A 2022 study studied this question.
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