Background: With patients for whom it is difficult or near impossible to maintain adequate oxygenation by conventional means, it may become necessary to oxygenate the blood outside the body. One method used with moderate success is the procedure of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of ECMO in adult patients suffering from conditions associated with respiratory failure that is refractory to conventional means of treatment.Methods: A systematic review of available studies was utilized to answer the earlier research questions. Reputable research journals were combed for articles pertaining to ECMO use in adult, pediatric, and neonatal populations and their effectiveness. Included in this study were articles that met the eligibility criteria. Relevant information was summarized and applied to the research questions.Results: Ten Studies were identified for analysis (3 neonatal, 3 pediatric, and 4 adult). Each study showed a benefit in survivability from the use of extracorporeal life support (ECLS) in conditions of respiratory failure that was deemed refractory to conventional means of treatment. The Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) registry contained the most comprehensive data, with the neonatal population being the most robust, followed by the pediatric and adult populations respectively. Neonatal indications for ECLS administration were less difficult to reverse than are adult conditions. Conclusion:Though not as effective as the pediatric and neonatal populations, adult ECLS was still determined to have some effectiveness. The indication or diagnosis played a significant role in the utilization and effectiveness of ECLS. Complications associated with the use of ELSC were of great concern for all patient populations. The adult population had a higher incidence of infection, cannula site bleeding, and surgical site bleeding than neonatal and pediatric populations. As the technology continues to evolve and the practice of ECLS use in adults continues to progress and increase, there is a potential to realize increasing effectiveness.
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