Percutaneous Tracheostomy On Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Balancing the Risk of Bleeding With Thrombosis

FOR PATIENTS WITH respiratory failure that is refractory or not amenable to conventional mechanical ventilation techniques, veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-V ECMO) is becoming an accepted life support technique in intensive care units. The need for prolonged respiratory support in this patient population often is accompanied by prolonged translaryngeal endotracheal intubation. The literature supports early tracheostomy in select patients who are expected to necessitate prolonged mechanical ventilation, with multiple potential benefits including shorter durations of ventilator dependence, shorter length of stay in the intensive care unit, and improved patient comfort.
Source: Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia - Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Tags: Editorial Source Type: research