Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in a patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome

Physiotherapy for Patients on Awake Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Systematic Review

“…Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used as temporary life support in patients with potential reversible respiratory/cardiac failure (Brown, 2014). ECMO systems have improved since their development in the 1950s and have yielded encouraging results, particularly in patients awaiting lung transplantation (Diaz-Guzman et al, 2013) and those with severe acute respiratory failure refractory to the usual therapeutic measures (i.e.…”

“…While patients are on awake ECMO, they may receive physiotherapy during periods spent either waiting for surgical procedures or while bedridden. The inherent risks of ECMO include bleeding and infections (Blum et al, 2013); thus, the technique is used only in patients whose conditions are life-threatening (Brown, 2014). Over the last decade, the possibility of keeping patients awake while on ECMO, and even allowing physical activity (i.e.…”