Key result
Veno-venous ECMO is feasible and efficacious in obese patients with severe respiratory failure, despite presenting significant resource demands and peri-ECMO complications.
Why the study?
Critically ill obese patients on veno-venous ECMO present significant management challenges and peri-ECMO complications, but recent studies show feasibility and efficacy that have shifted practice.
Veno-venous ECMO is feasible and efficacious in obese patients with severe respiratory failure, though it requires significant resources and careful management of peri-procedural complications.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been the treatment of choice for reversible severe respiratory failure not responding to ventilation.Obese patients are prone to developing acute respiratory distress and are frequently candidates for veno-venous (VV) ECMO.Management of critically ill obese patients on ECMO poses significant challenges to the treating team.They are more resource-demanding and present a myriad of complications during the peri-ECMO period, which determine morbidity and mortality.Interestingly, several studies in the past decade have presented feasibility, efficacy of VV ECMO in obese patients, thereby creating a paradigm shift in their management.This comprehensive review summarizes the various issues faced while managing high body mass index patients on VV ECMO and their outcomes.
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Kavitha Jayaram (2025) conducted a review in Severe respiratory failure in obese patients. Veno-venous ECMO in high body mass index patients was evaluated. Veno-venous ECMO is feasible and efficacious in obese patients with severe respiratory failure, despite presenting significant resource demands and peri-ECMO complications.
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