• M V Malfertheiner, L M Broman, M Belliato, A Venti, A Bader, F S Taccone, M Di Nardo, G Maj, and F Pappalardo.
• Department of Internal Medicine II, Cardiology and Pneumology, Center for Sleep Medicine, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
• Crit Care Resusc. 2017 Oct 1; 19 (Suppl 1): 76-81.

ObjectiveTo investigate contemporary clinical practice in the management of venovenous (VV) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in critically ill patients with bacterial pneumonia.MethodsIn this multicentre retrospective study, 48 patients with severe respiratory failure due to bacterial pneumonia receiving VV ECMO therapy in five experienced European ECMO centres were included. Ventilator and ECMO settings were analysed.ResultsVentilator settings showed great variability between participating centres, particularly relating to positive end-expiratory pressure, peak inspiratory pressure and driving pressure. Different strategies in cannulation, ECMO setting and weaning procedures were also observed.ConclusionThere is great diversity in management modalities for ventilator and ECMO settings for patients with bacterial pneumonia. Our study emphasises the lack of clinical consensus in VV ECMO management.

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