Abstract
Ethical challenges are commonplace in the utilization of life-sustaining therapy. Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) is a life-sustaining therapy used in refractory respiratory failure, which is used for only two purposes – as a bridge to lung recovery and a bridge to lung transplantation. Outcome data is limited for the use of VV-ECMO making balance of ethical principles such as beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and justice particularly challenging. If introduction, continuation, and discontinuation of VV-ECMO is carefully approached through open and consistent communication between team members, patients, and families, these ethical challenges can be minimized.KeywordsMedical ethicsExtracorporeal membrane oxygenationVV-ECMOIntensive careCritical careTime-limited trial
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