Membrane oxygenators

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Abstract
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation has been suggested as an alternative means of support for the patient who is critically ill with acute ventilatory insufficiency. The determination of which patients should receive this therapy has not been clarified to date. Clinical data have revealed overall surviva1 of 10 to 13%. Comparison of therapeutic results with those in which “conventional” therapy is employed has yielded little useful information. At present the overall impact of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in reducing death from ventilatory insufficiency appears to be minimal. The technique requires major commitments of manpower, equipment, and money, and appears to be limited to a relatively small number of major institutions. A truly objective study, which defines patient entry criteria, specific therapy to be used, and end-points to be achieved has yet to be developed or implemented.

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