Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support for Patients with Acute Refractory Respiratory Failure

Aims and Scope

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been used as the supporting method for the rescue of acute refractory respiratory failure patients in recent years. VV-ECMO in adults with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome has been shown to be associated with better outcomes than conventional mechanical ventilation alone. However, due to its invasive nature, ECMO could lead to a number of complications which dramatically worsen the outcome of patients. In addition, evidence on several aspects is insufficient. We welcome original research articles, reviews, case reports, commentaries and secondary analysis on the whole course management of ECMO support for acute refractory respiratory failure patients.

Main topics and quality control

The issue focused on the whole course management of ECMO. Topics are welcome but not limited to the followings:

1) Patient selection: who can benefit from ECMO support? Risk factors and predictive model.

2) Complication management: how can we reduce the incidence of ECMO-related complications, such as hemorrhage, infection, heparin induced thrombocytopenia and mechanical injury, etc.

3) Weaning form ECMO: what is the proper time for decannulation and how could we evaluate that?

4) Awake ECMO.

5) Prone position in patients supported with ECMO.

6) The prognosis of patients supported with ECMO.

Full papers will be subject to a strict review procedure for final selection to this special issue based on the following criteria:

1. Quality and originality in theory and methodology of the special issue.

2. Relevance to the topic of the special issue.

3. Presence of the following statements (if applicable): disclosure of potential conflicts of interest, research involving human participants and/or animals, informed consent.

4. We recommend that research articles follow the relevant EQUATOR network reporting guidelines: CONSORT reporting guidelines for randomized trials, STROBE reporting guidelines for observational studies and PRISMA reporting guidelines for systematic reviews and meta-analyses.