ECMO as a bridge to lung transplant : current status

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in awake nonintubated patients has been proposed as a new strategy for bridge patients with end-stage respiratory failure to lung transplantation. Artificial Lung for bridging (in Spontaneous Breathing)? Protection of recipient lung is irrelevant, it would be changed anyway. However, take out something bad: 1- Systemic effects of MV; 2-Collateral care of MV (sedation). Artificial Lung for bridging (in Spontaneous Breathing)? Protection of recipient lung is irrelevant, it would be changed anyway. However, providing something good: 1- Sleeping, eating, talking, i.e. human dignity + physiotherapy 2- Increase safety during lung transplant; 3-Help after lung transplant . Extracorporeal assist with spontaneous breathing feasibility study, exploring: Bridge to/recovery from transplant, Re-exhacerbation of COPD, ARDS. Consider Pleural pressure changes and RR. Spontaneous Breathing + Membrane Lung: in Bridge to Transplant is good, in Rehabilitation of COPD is great, in ARDS is unfeasible.