ObjectiveThis report aimed to describe the outcomes of the patients with severe H1N1
associated acute respiratory distress syndrome who were treated with
extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy.MethodsThis retrospective review analyzed a single-center cohort of adult patients
with H1N1-related acute respiratory distress syndrome who were managed with
veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation during the winter of
2013/2014.ResultsA total of 10 patients received veno-venous extracorporeal membrane
oxygenation for H1N1 influenza between January 2013 and March 2014. Seven
patients were transferred to our center for extracorporeal membrane
oxygenation consideration (all within 72 hours of initiating mechanical
ventilation). The median patient age was forty years, and 30% were female.
The median arterial oxygen partial pressure to fraction of inspired oxygen
ratio was 62.5, and the median RESP score was 6. Three patients received
inhaled nitric oxide, and four patients were proned as rescue therapy before
extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was initiated. The median duration of
mechanical ventilation was twenty-two days (range, 14 - 32). The median
length of stay in the intensive care unit was twenty-seven days (range, 14 -
39). The median hospital length of stay was 29.1 days (range, 16.0 - 46.9).
Minor bleeding complications occurred in 6 of 10 patients. Eight of the ten
patients survived to hospital discharge.ConclusionThe survivors were relatively young and discharged with good functional
status (i.e., enhancing quality-adjusted life-years-saved). Our experience
shows that even a relatively new extracorporeal membrane oxygenation program
can play an important role in that capacity and provide excellent outcomes
for the sickest patients.