Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for patients with acute respiratory failure: Uncertain if it is better or worse than conventional lung support

Abstract

What is this? Some patients with COVID-19 will become critically ill and need help with their breathing. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a form of life support that targets the heart and lungs and which might be used for them. In this Cochrane systematic review, the authors searched for randomized and quasi-randomized trials testing the use of ECMO for acute respiratory failure. They did not restrict by language or location of publication and did their searches in August 2014. They identified 4 randomized trials which compared ECMO versus conventional lung support (389 participants).