Pulmonary Pathophysiology and Inflammatory Response in Patients Treated With Ecmo for Severe Respiratory Failure

Pulmonary Pathophysiology and Inflammatory Response in Patients Treated With Ecmo for Severe Respiratory Failure

The purpose of this study is the observation of the course of

• the mechanics of the respiratory system
• the endexpiratory lung volume
• and the inflammatory response in patients undergoing treatment with extracorporeal life support (ECLS) due to severe refractory respiratory failure at our department.

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients accepted for extracorporeal life support at our department due to the most severe forms of ARDS/respiratory failure not responding to conventional therapy.

Exclusion Criteria:

• malignant disease with a poor prognosis
• massive intracranial bleeding