Mortality in Patients with Obesity and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Receiving Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: The Multicenter ECMObesity Study

Candidacy for Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Should Start with Ventilatory Support Optimization

“…We commend the work done by Rudym and colleagues in developing knowledge throughout their article in the Journal ( 1 ). The authors report further evidence supporting the safe use of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with obesity, finding a lower ICU mortality than patients without obesity in multivariable and propensity score matching analyses.…”

Reply to: Candidacy for Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Should Start with Ventilatory Support Optimization

“…Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support can be safely used in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome with obesity ( 1 ). This patient population is characterized by different lung mechanics compared with patients without obesity, which, in turn, can affect how these patients present and their management.…”