Clinical Research Directory

Veno-arterial ExtraCorporeal Membrane Oxygenation to Reduce Morbidity and Mortality Following Lung TransPlant

In patients undergoing lung transplantation (LT), the investigators hypothesize that a "systematic" intraoperative ECMO strategy would reduce the need for invasive mechanical ventilation in the first 28 days without increasing adverse events, as compared to an "on-demand" intraoperative ECMO strategy. To date, LT remains a highly hazardous procedure. Even if the surgical procedure is well established, the intraoperative support is not, and most intra-operative ECMO decisions rely on local protocols, anesthesiologists' habits, and surgeons' preference. The efficacy of applying a "systematic" strategy on reducing the occurrence of severe primary graft dysfunction and thus mechanical ventilation in the 28 days following LT, without increasing mortality or morbidity, would support future guidelines on the use of ECMO in the intraoperative period of LT for obstructive and restrictive lung diseases.