• Chuan-hai Wang, Zhao-hui Tong, Qing-yuan Zhan, Bing Sun, Jing-yu Quan, and Cheng-hong Li.
• Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Respiratory Disease, Beijing 100020, China.
• Zhongguo Wei Zhong Bing Ji Jiu Yi Xue. 2012 Feb 1;24(2):83-5.

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effects and safety of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).MethodsECMO were initiated in 6 patients with ARDS, not responding to conventional mechanical ventilation. Oxygenation status, positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) level, and fraction of inspired oxygen [FiO(2)] were compared before and after treatment with ECMO, while the adverse effects of ECMO were recorded.ResultsIn 6 cases, pulse blood oxygen saturation [SpO(2)] was elevated (0.45-0.92 up to 0.94-1.00), PEEP level [cm H(2)O, 1 cm H(2)O=0.098 kPa] and [FiO(2)] were lowered [PEEP: 10.0-22.0 down to 4.0-15.0; FiO(2): 1.00 down to 0.30-0.60] after treatment with ECMO. Of 6 cases, 2 patients with severe influenza A/H1N1 pneumonia finally died of shock; 1 patient with severe influenza A/H1N1 pneumonia and 1 patient with Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia were withdrawn from ECMO treatment because of deterioration of the disease. One patient suffering from Cytomegalovirus pneumonia and another with Acinetobacter baumannii pneumonia were successfully discharged from hospital with recovery. The main complications were bleeding and hemolysis.ConclusionsECMO could improve gas exchange, oxygenation and partially replace pulmonary function. Patients with ARDS should be treated with ECMO early if artificial ventilation treatment was unresponsive.

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