Extracorporeal Life Support: RN Management of ECMO Patients

Abstract

Practice Pointers| April 01 2021 Extracorporeal Life Support: RN Management of ECMO Patients Crit Care Nurse (2021) 41 (2): 88. https://doi.org/10.4037/ccn2021334 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Cite Icon Cite Get Permissions Citation Extracorporeal Life Support: RN Management of ECMO Patients. Crit Care Nurse 1 April 2021; 41 (2): 88. doi: https://doi.org/10.4037/ccn2021334 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentCritical Care Nurse Search Advanced Search Concerning the treatment itself, I do not have data to say there are any prolonged effects. Survivors have come back to visit the nurses and therapists who were involved in their care; they are functioning normally apart from not remembering much, if anything, of the ECLS period. That “gap in time” can be a special challenge for some individuals, whereas others express gratitude that the team saved their lives. Of course, complications that the patient experiences while supported with ECLS will remain (eg, stroke residual, effects of limb ischemia). Primary concerns after decannulation include bleeding at the cannulation site, recurrent hypoxia (which may necessitate return to ECLS support), and cardiac compromise (venoarterial ECLS). Deconditioning is a significant contributor to prolonged hospitalization following ECLS support. If a patient starts therapy already deconditioned, this situation will be even worse. If the cannulation strategy is secure, the providers are supportive, and there is... You do not currently have access to this content.