Long-term health-related quality of life of adult patients treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO): An integrative review

Abstract

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a rescue treatment for patients with severe pulmonary and/or cardiac dysfunction, is increasingly being used worldwide. A better understanding of long-term health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is needed. Objective: To synthesize research on long-term (at least 6 months post-ECMO) HRQOL of adults treated with ECMO. Methods: In this integrative review, we searched 3 electronic databases and did a hand search of relevant journals for articles published 2000–2019, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Results: Thirty-one studies, representing 913 patients treated with ECMO, were included. Long-term HRQOL was slightly better for patients treated with veno-venous ECMO than veno-arterial ECMO, and mental health outcomes tended to be better than physical ones. Survivors frequently experienced physical complications, functional limitations, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress symptoms, although improvements were observed over time. Conclusions: Early identification and management of physical and mental health problems may improve HRQOL outcomes.