Acquired von Willebrand syndrome and impaired platelet function during veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: Rapid onset and fast recovery

Veno-venous membrane oxygenation (vvECMO) is increasingly applied as a bridge to lung transplant and a lifesaving procedure during treatment for severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). ECMO-mortality (42% - 58%), however, remains unacceptably high.1,2 The main complication resulting from ECMO-therapy is hemorrhage, with a reported incidence between 30%2 and 60%.3 Bleeding from catheter insertion sites, mucous membranes and the lung is common. Almost 10% of patients even suffer from spontaneous intracranial bleeding, raising mortality up to 80%.

Source: The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation - March 17, 2018 Category: Transplant Surgery Authors: Johannes Kalbhenn, Axel Schlagenhauf, Simone Rosenfelder, Axel Schmutz, Barbara Zieger Source Type: research