Revista portuguesa de cardiologia : orgão oficial da Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia = Portuguese journal of cardiology : an official journal of the Portuguese Society of Cardiology
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Observational Study
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in circulatory and respiratory failure - A single-center experience.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides mechanical pulmonary and circulatory support for patients with shock refractory to conventional medical therapy. In this study we aim to describe the indications, clinical characteristics, complications and mortality associated with use of ECMO in a single tertiary hospital. ⋯ Patients with respiratory indications for ECMO experienced better survival than cardiac patients. The need for more inotropic drugs was a predictor of mortality in VA-ECMO. This is the first published record of the overall experience with ECMO in a Portuguese tertiary hospital.