Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in lung transplantation.

Abstract

Lung transplantation has become an accepted surgical modality. As the primary pulmonary graft failure accounts for almost one third of early deaths, new possibilities to positively influence this life-threatening complication had been searched for. extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) offers an unique advantage of overcome the demanding peri- and postoperative period. The authors present the advantage of ECMO use, introduce a review of experience with its application in lung transplantation. (Fig. 2, Ref. 36.)