Extracorporeal Oxygenation Research Articles

The experience of bilateral lung retransplantation after prolonged extracorporeal oxygenation

Background. Transplantation is the only effective method of helping patients with irreversible damage of the lung function when the possibilities of other treatment methods have been exhausted. At the same time, a chronic graft rejection is the main cause of the loss of the donor organ function in the long-term period, developing in more than 50% of patients within 5 years after surgery. Given irreversible lung damage with loss of lung functions, the only effective treatment method for this patient population is retransplantation, which is associated with high risks of complications and a long rehabilitation of the patient in the postoperative period.Objective. Demonstration of the first Russian experience of bilateral lung retransplantation in a patient after a longterm extracorporeal oxygenation.Results. The article presents the description of the first experience of bilateral lung retransplantation in Russia performed in a patient with a chronic rejection 4.5 years after the primary transplantation performed for end-stage lung lesions in non-langerhans cell histiocytosis. In the 96-day period of waiting for a donor organ, the patient's gas-exchange lung function was compensated by using veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.Conclusions. Retransplantation is an effective method of treatment for patients with irreversibly damaged lung function, but still remains an operation associated with high risks of complications and unfavorable outcome.

Recirculation in Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

This review focuses on recirculation in the context of Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Life Support in adults. The methods employed to calculate and quantify the extent of recirculation, as well as factors affecting recirculation and interventions that could reduce recirculation, are detailed. As recirculation may significantly reduce extracorporeal oxygen delivery, leading to refractory hypoxemia, detecting and quantifying the recirculation fraction is fundamental in order to optimize VV-ECMO lung support. Although it is necessary to assess extracorporeal oxygen delivery, quantifying the amount of recirculation may be difficult. Besides mathematical methods, different experimental techniques for the direct measurement of recirculation are in development at present. Moreover, specific interventions and ECMO configurations could significantly reduce recirculation, and innovative systems are under study in this regard. Nevertheless, further human studies are needed to validate and standardize their use in clinical practice, and there remain limited data on their effectiveness and safety. More pre-clinical and clinical studies are required to assess the results obtained thus far and to improve the technologies to minimize the potential complications associated with their use.

Effects of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation return cannula side hole structure on aortic hemodynamic features under different perfusion levels.

The interaction between primary left ventricular output and Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane pulmonary oxygenation (VA ECMO) flow may impede the perfusion of aortic vessels with hyperoxic blood, leading to differential oxygenation. ECMO return cannula design significantly influences the perfusion level of blood supplied via ECMO. This study aimed to investigate the impact of various cannula designs (side hole number) on intravascular flow patterns under different blood perfusion conditions. Six return cannula models with different side hole number and three cardiac output waveforms were designed based on clinical data for comparative analysis. The position of the blood mixing zone (MZ) was influenced by the flow-volume ratio of the heart output (CO/(CO+Qec)) and cannula design. As the CO/(CO+Qec) and the number of side holes in the cannula increased, the MZ shifted from the ascending aorta to the descending aorta. Concurrently, aortic wall and scalar shear stress on the impact side of ECMO cannulation reduced progressively. Return cannula with side holes effectively mitigated discrepancies in the perfusion of the renal artery and inadequate perfusion of the lower limb vessels on the cannula side while simultaneously reducing damage to the vessel walls and blood. However, increasing the number of side holes in the return cannulas resulted in diminished perfusion of the aortic arch bifurcation vessels by hyperoxic blood supplied via ECMO. Increasing the number of return cannula side holes for VA ECMO femoral artery cannulation improves hypoxic perfusion in the lower limb and reduces vascular endothelial injury, but may also lead to inadequate hypoxic perfusion in the upper body.

Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in devastating bacterial pneumonia: a case report and review of the literature

BackgroundBacterial pneumonia is one of the most common causes of acute respiratory distress syndrome. In fulminant cases, when mechanical ventilation fails, veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is required. However, this method is still associated with significant mortality and a wide range of potential complications. However, there are now many case reports of good outcomes even in patients with prolonged extracorporeal oxygenation, as in our rather complicated case report.Case presentationOur case report describes a complicated but successful treatment of a severe, devastating bacterial pneumonia in a 39-year-old European polymorbid woman with a rare form of diabetes mellitus, which had been poorly compensated for a long time with limited compliance, in the context of a combined immunodeficiency that strongly influenced the course of the disease. The patient’s hospitalization required a total of 30 days of veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy and more than 50 days of mechanical ventilation. Numerous complications, particularly bleeding, required seven chest drains, two extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuit changes, and one surgical revision. The patient’s mental state required repeated psychiatric intervention.ConclusionIt is possible that even the initially severely damaged lung parenchyma can develop its regenerative potential if suitable conditions are provided for this process, including a sufficiently long period of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.We believe that this case report may also contribute to the consideration of the indications and contraindications of extracorporeal support. The authors also discuss the limitations and risks of prolonged veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support and periprocedural anticoagulation strategies.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Complex Tracheobronchial Surgery: A Series Case Reports and Systematic Review

Airway management in complex tracheobronchial surgery (TBS) remains a challenge in thoracic surgery. The use of extracorporeal membrane pulmonary oxygenation (ECMO) in thoracic surgery is rather rare, except for lung transplantation. To report the safety and efficacy of ECMO in complex TBS, a total of 5 patients with tracheobronchial and bronchial reconstructive surgery supported by ECMO in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University from May 2019 to June 2024 were collected. Among them, 4 cases of tracheal tumor (including long-segment trachea resection and reconstruction, or carinal resection and reconstruction) and 1 case of acute airway obstruction caused by tracheal rupture were included, all of which were performed in veno-venous ECMO (V-V ECMO) mode. Systemic heparinization was used in 2 patients, and anticoagulation was not performed in 3 patients, which were maintained only by ECMO heparin-coated lines. 4 patients recovered well after surgery, and 1 patient died 1 month after surgery due to immune-related pneumonia. For complex TBS, or in emergency situations (tracheal stenosis with risk of asphyxiation), ECMO can provide adequate support and safeguard. .

Hypothermic Peritoneal Perfusion of Cold Oxygenated Perfluorocarbon May Improve the Efficacy of Extracorporeal Oxygenation: A Mathematical Model-Based Analysis

Hypothermic Peritoneal Perfusion of Cold Oxygenated Perfluorocarbon May Improve the Efficacy of Extracorporeal Oxygenation: A Mathematical Model-Based Analysis

Discontinuation of Cardiac Devices at or Near an Adult Patient's End of Life.

Advances in medical technology have begun to blur the lines between life and death as well as the lines between appropriate and inappropriate therapy. This review addresses the charged issue of the management of cardiac devices at or near the end of a patient's life, provides a summary of prior and current opinion with some historical context, and attempts to provide some modest guidance as to how to approach the various options to the patient's best advantage. Modalities to be addressed include indwelling electronic devices, the left ventricular assistance device, and extracorporeal mechanical oxygenation, and includes available outcome data as well as ethical analysis from a number of commentators. The expected further increase in technical sophistication of these devices is expected to render the various aspects of device deactivation more and more complex over the course of the next few years such that careful attention to and knowledge about this issue will continue to be more and more necessary.

Successful management of intracranial hemorrhage with brain herniation in a postpartum patient on extracorporeal membranous oxygenation: A case report.

Managing intracranial hemorrhage in patients supported by extracorporeal oxygenation (ECMO) presents significant clinical challenges. We report a case of a postpartum patient with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) necessitating venovenous ECMO support, complicated by multicompartmental intracranial hemorrhage resulting in brain herniation and necessitating emergent medical and surgical management of refractory intracranial hypertension. Care was guided by multimodal neuromonitoring, including intracranial pressure monitoring and electroencephalography. Despite these challenges, the patient achieved excellent neurological recovery. This case underscores the intricacies of managing neurological complications during ECMO and highlights the potential benefits of comprehensive neuromonitoring strategies.

Increased white blood cell count is associated with an increased demand for unfractionated heparin during veno-arterial extracorporeal oxygenation in lung transplantation.

This retrospective observational study aimed to examine whether clinical inflammatory parameters were associated with the requirement dosage of unfractionated heparin (UFH) to maintain the range of ACT in veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) during lung transplantation surgery. Among all patients who underwent lung transplantation using V-A ECMO from January 2021 to May 2022, 27 patients were included. These patients were divided into two groups based on whether the infusion rate of UFH was increased from the initial infusion rate (7-8units/kg/h) (increased group, n=10) or the infusion rate was maintained or decreased (non-increased group, n=17). The infusion rate was adjusted with an activated clotting time (ACT) target of 160-200s. At 1-2h after starting ECMO, ACT was significantly lower (179.0 (166.5-188.5) versus 224.0 (193.0-242.0) sec, p=0.006) and white blood cell (WBC) counts were higher in the increased group (12.6±3.3 versus 9.5±4.0×103/μL, p=0.046). The UFH infusion rates were higher in the increased group during the surgery. The cutoff value of WBC count at 1-2h after starting ECMO for discriminating the need for increasing the UFH dosage was determined as 10.2×103/μL (sensitivity 90.0%, specificity 58.8%, area under the curve 0.712) and discrimination of this cut-off value was confirmed as statistically significant (p=0.018). These data suggested that WBC count was associated with the requirement of an increase in the UFH infusion rate of V-A ECMO during lung transplantation surgery. Further evaluation is necessary to clarify the role of WBC count in determining the optimal UFH dosage.

Controlled automated reperfusion of the whole body after cardiac arrest: Device profile of the CARL system.

Cardiac arrest is associated with high mortality rates and severe neurological impairments. One of the underlying mechanisms is global ischemia-reperfusion injury of the body, particularly the brain. Strategies to mitigate this may thus improve favorable neurological outcomes. The use of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary membrane oxygenation (ECMO) during CA has been shown to improve survival, but available systems are vastly unable to deliver goal-oriented resuscitation to control patient's individual physical and chemical needs during reperfusion. Recently, controlled automated reperfusion of the whoLe body (CARL), a pulsatile ECMO with arterial blood-gas analysis, has been introduced to deliver goal-directed reperfusion therapy during the post-arrest phase. This review focuses on the device profile and use of CARL. Specifically, we reviewed the published literature to summarize data regarding its technical features and potential benefits in ECPR. Peri-arrest, mitigating severe IRI with ECMO, might be the next step toward augmenting survival rates and neurological recovery. To this end, CARL is a promising extracorporeal oxygenation device that improves the early reperfusion phase after resuscitation.

Relationships among hemolysis indicators and neuron-specific-enolase in patients undergoing veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Neuron-specific-enolase is used as a marker of neurological prognosis after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is also present in red blood cells and platelets. It is not known whether hemolysis increases the values of neuron-specific-enolase enough to clinically affect its interpretation in critically ill patients who are to be introduced to veno-arterial extracorporeal oxygenation. In this study, we examined the relationships among neuron-specific-enolase and hemolysis indicators such as free hemoglobin and lactate dehydrogenase after the introduction of veno-arterial extracorporeal oxygenation. Of the 91 patients who underwent veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in our hospital from January 1, 2018, to February 24, 2021, 68 patients survived for more than 24h. Of these, 14 patients who were categorized into the better cerebral performance categories (1-3) and 19 patients who were categorized into the poor neurological prognosis category (4) were included. After the introduction of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, neuron-specific-enolase was markedly higher in the poor neurological prognosis group than in the good neurological prognosis group (41.6 vs. 92.0, p = 0.04). A significant positive correlation was revealed between neuron-specific-enolase and free hemoglobin in the good neurological prognosis group (rs = 0.643, p = 0.0131). A similar relationship was observed for lactate dehydrogenase and neuron-specific-enolase in both the conscious (rs = 0.737, p = 0.00263) and non-conscious groups (rs = 0.544, p = 0.0176). When neuron-specific-enolase is used as a marker for neuroprognostic evaluation, an abnormally high value is likely to indicate the lack of consciousness, whereas a lower elevation should be interpreted with caution, taking into account the effects of hemolysis.

Anticoagulation Can Be Held in Traumatically Injured Patients on Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support.

Traumatic injury is associated with several pulmonary complications, including pulmonary contusion, transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI), and the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). There is a lack of literature on these patients supported with veno-venous extracorporeal oxygenation (VV ECMO). Understanding the safety of using VV ECMO to support trauma patients and the ability to hold anticoagulation is important to broaden utilization. This is a single-center retrospective cohort study of adult trauma patients cannulated for VV ECMO during their initial admission over an 8 year period (2014-2021). We hypothesize that anticoagulation can be held in trauma patients on VV ECMO without increasing mortality or prothrombotic complications. We also describe the coagulopathy of traumatically injured patients on VV ECMO. Withholding anticoagulation was not associated with mortality in our study population, and there were no significant differences in bleeding or clotting complications between patients who did and did not receive systemic anticoagulation. Patients in the nonsurvivor group had increased coagulopathy both pre- and post-cannulation. Our study suggests anticoagulation can be safely withheld in traumatically injured VV ECMO patients without increasing mortality, complication rates, or transfusion requirements. Future, multicenter prospective studies with larger sample sizes are required to confirm our results.

A novel rat lung transplantation model using venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support

ObjectivesExtracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has become an important life support technique during lung transplantation. We aimed to develop a rat model for lung transplantation using venoarterial (VA) ECMO support. MethodsAdult male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 400 to 450 g were used in this study. ECMO circuits were created by obtaining venous access from the femoral vein with subsequent extracorporeal oxygen exchange, which was then returned to the circulatory system through the left carotid artery (ie, VA-ECMO). Simultaneously, the donor lungs were retrieved and immersed in cold, low-potassium dextran lung preservation solution. Orthotopic left lung transplantation supported by VA-ECMO was performed. Thereafter, a respiratory failure rat model was constructed using ventilation with a hypoxic and hypercapnic gas mixture, consisting of 6% oxygen, 8% carbon dioxide, and 86% nitrogen, before lung transplantation. Similarly, left lung transplantation supported by VA-ECMO was performed in rats with respiratory failure. Arterial blood gas levels were measured at designated time points throughout the experiment. ResultsWe found that VA-ECMO provided sufficient oxygenation and carbon dioxide removal to allow for smooth left lung transplantation in healthy rats and those with respiratory failure. ConclusionsWe established a rat model for lung transplantation using VA-ECMO. Left lung transplantation using VA-ECMO support is also feasible and safe in rat models of respiratory failure. These models provide efficient and economical models for translational medicine for lung transplantation using ECMO. Moreover, it will be invaluable to evaluate the physiological and pathophysiological roles of ECMO during lung transplantation.

A Qualitative Study to Explore the Nurses’ Experience of Writing Caring Notes in Diaries for Extracorporeal Oxygenation Membrane (ECMO) Patients: Explore the nurse’s experience

The use of diaries is known to reduce post-intensive care syndrome in the intensive care unit (ICU) for survivors and families. Studies are needed to explore nurses’ experience with diaries. Although the diaries are written for the patient, the diary entries may be helpful for the nurse as well. Research has shown that ICU diaries fill in significant memory gaps and aid in the resolution of delusional memories. However, there is a shortage of knowledge about the nurses’ experience of writing caring notes in diaries. The purpose of this research was to explore the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) nurses’ experience of writing caring notes in diaries during the patients’ ICU stay. This is a descriptive phenomenological qualitative research study using semi-structured interviews. A one-on-one interview was performed, audiotaped, and transcribed. Three investigators analyzed the data for themes, subcategories, and indicators. A purposive sample of 15 specialty-trained ECMO nurses participated in the study. Three themes emerged from the study relating to the nurse, family, and patient, including positive and negative aspects of writing in the diary and barriers. The vast majority (88%) of 340 comments answered during the interviews were positive. Overall, nurses found the diaries to be beneficial to the nurse, family, and patient. Diary writing may help nurses get back to the core of why we do what they do. Understanding the nurses’ experience may help to improve communication and family satisfaction while optimizing dairy programs.

Our Experience in Using Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Patients with Refractory Cardiogenic Shock

Background Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) is a critical care treatment option for patients with refractory cardiogenic shock. This method of temporary support of the cardiorespiratory system gives us and the patient time to restore organ function or is a «bridge» to other methods of treatment. Nevertheless, the issue of identifying the optimal time for VA ECMO implantation in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by refractory cardiogenic shock remains relevant.Aim To evaluate the efficiency of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in various clinical situations in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by refractory cardiogenic shock and post-infarction damage to the valves of the heart.Material and method We present 3 patients with acute coronary syndrome complicated by refractory cardiogenic shock, of different age groups and comorbidities, who underwent veno-arterial extracorporeal oxygenation in various SCAI shock stages, and mechanical complications associated with acute myocardial infarction.Results In all the cases, stabilization of hemodynamics and heart function was achieved, and there were no hypoxic disorders of organs. In one case, a hemorrhagic complication associated with the VA ECMO procedure was noted. In one case, VA ECMO was performed as an intermediate stage for the correction of post-infarction mitral valve injury.Conclusion These clinical cases demonstrate the efficiency of the timely start of VA ECMO before the development of organ dysfunction, which allows restoring myocardial function, and helps maintain hemodynamic normalization before the cardiac surgical stage of treatment.

Dissolved Oxygen Relevantly Contributes to Systemic Oxygenation During Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support.

When determining extracorporeal oxygen transfer (V ML O 2 ) during venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) dissolved oxygen is often considered to play a subordinate role due to its poor solubility in blood plasma. This study was designed to assess the impact of dissolved oxygen on systemic oxygenation in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) on VV ECMO support by differentiating between dissolved and hemoglobin-bound extracorporeal oxygen transfer. We calculated both extracorporeal oxygen transfer based on blood gas analysis using the measuring energy expenditure in extracorporeal lung support patients (MEEP) protocol and measured oxygen uptake by the native lung with indirect calorimetry. Over 20% of V ML O 2 and over 10% of overall oxygen uptake (VO 2 total ) were realized as dissolved oxygen. The transfer of dissolved oxygen mainly depended on ECMO blood flow (BF ML ). In patients with severely impaired lung function dissolved oxygen accounted for up to 28% of VO 2 total . A clinically relevant amount of oxygen is transferred as physically dissolved fraction, which therefore needs to be considered when determining membrane lung function, manage ECMO settings or guiding the weaning procedure.

In vivo measurement of pediatric extracorporeal oxygenator insensible losses; a single center pilot study.

Fluid overload on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is associated with worse outcomes. Previous in vitro studies have attempted to quantify oxygenator-related insensible losses, as failure to account for this fluid loss may lead to inaccurate fluid balance assessment and potentially harmful clinical management, such as unnecessary exposure to diuretics, slow continuous ultrafiltration (SCUF), or continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT). We performed a novel in vivo study to measure insensible fluid losses in pediatric ECMO patients. Pediatric ECMO patients were approached over eleven months in the pediatric and cardiac intensive care units. The water content of the oxygenator inflow sweep gas and exhaust gas were calculated by measuring the ambient temperature and relative humidity at frequent intervals and various sweep flow. Nine subjects were enrolled, generating 431 data points. The cohort had a median age of 11 years IQR [0.83, 13], weight of 23.2 kg IQR [6.48, 44.28], and body surface area of 0.815 m2 IQR [0.315, 1.3725]. Overall, the cohort had a median sweep of 2.5 L/min [0.9, 4], ECMO flow of 3.975 L/m2/min [0.75, 4.51], and a set ECMO temperature of 37 degrees Celsius [36.6, 37.2]. The calculated net water loss per L/min of sweep was 75.93 ml/day, regardless of oxygenator size or patient weight. There was a significant difference in median documented vs. calculated fluid balance incorporating the insensible fluid loss, irrespective of oxygenator size (pediatric oxygenator: 7.001 ml/kg/day [-12.37, 28.59] vs. -6.11 ml/kg/day [-17.44, 13.01], respectively, p = 0.005 and adult oxygenator: 14.36 ml/kg/day [1.54, 25.77] and 9.204 ml/kg/day [-1.28, 22.05], respectively, p = <0.001). We present this pilot study of measured oxygenator-associated insensible fluid losses on ECMO. Our results are consistent with prior in vitro methods and provide the basis for future studies evaluating the impact of incorporating these fluid losses into patients' daily fluid balance on patient management and outcomes.

PDMS-based artificial lung membranes with enhanced permeation to overcome the bottleneck in CO2/O2 selectivity

Artificial lung membranes are the heart for extracorporeal oxygenation. Hereinto, the nonporous PDMS-based membranes have excellent biocompatibility, and also isolation ability to both blood and harmful matters. Nevertheless, their CO2/O2 selectivity, in the conventional cases using pure-oxygen sweeping stream, is not enough to accomplish sufficient CO2 removal in balance with O2 addition. In this work, the oxygenation mode using oxygen-enriched stream, faithfully based on the permeation mechanism, is established to overcome this bottleneck. To neutralize the negative impacts caused by lowering oxygen content and its partial pressure, PDMS-based composite membranes with ultra-thin selective layer to enhance mass transfer have been fabricated successfully. The experiments manifest that the selective layer, on the basic condition that the composite structure is stable enough to make surface modification and realistic utilization, is decreased to 376 nm on the porous substrates. O2 and CO2 permeation rates through the ultimate membrane samples have been enhanced to 502 GPU and 4117 GPU, respectively. In this instance, the essential oxygenation could be sustained with O2 partial pressure less than 446 mmHg in the sweeping stream. The minimum membrane area for a common treatment case is 0.05 square meters. Once the membrane area is increased to 0.18 square meters, the sterile air after purification could be directly used for oxygenation. In comparison to the oxygenation devices being used currently, membrane area can be saved by about 90 %, which is highly significant to reduce the injuring influence on blood cells. All in all, the artificial lung membranes with ultra-thin PDMS coating layer have promising future in realistic utilization.

Ações de cuidado e diagnósticos de enfermagem ao paciente com oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea: translação do conhecimento

Abstract Objective to map diagnoses and nursing actions for the care of adult patients with extracorporeal oxygenation membrane, considering a protocol and a computerized prescription system and the inclusion of new care actions, in a process of translating knowledge to clinical practice. Methods descriptive and exploratory study, with cross-mapping between a care protocol and a computerized system of at a university hospital, from 2014 to 2018. Two meetings were held with the nursing manager and members of the extracorporeal oxygenation membrane team to validate the actions. Results most common diagnoses used in the 45 medical records of patients with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation were: Risk of infection (100%); Impaired spontaneous ventilation (93.33%); Self-care deficit syndrome (93.33%). Conclusion and implications for practice The mapping included 25 new actions, associated with 14 nursing diagnoses in the computerized system, aiming to disseminate knowledge and its application in real care for patients with extracorporeal oxygenation membrane.

Amphiphilic PDMS-HEMA membrane surface for improved gas selectivity and blood compatibility

While extracorporeal oxygenation (ECMO) is regarded as the golden weapon for patients with cardiopulmonary failure in critical care, its clinical use is usually complicated by the blood coagulation on the hydrophobic surface of the artificial membrane for gas exchange. Herein, amphiphilic polydimethylsiloxane‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (PDMS-HEMA) material was firstly synthesized from chemical reaction between HEMA and the vinyl group on the side chains of PDMS via a simple process, and then coated on the microporous polyethersulfone (PES) base membrane to obtain PDMS-HEMA/PES composite membrane. Structure characterizations demonstrated that HEMA and PDMS were successfully copolymerized, and PDMS-HEMA/PES composite membranes were well prepared with a flat dense PDMS-HEMA layer coated on the surface of microporous PES substrate. Surface property analyses confirmed much smoother membrane surface, phase-separated morphology, and significant decrement in water contact angles for PDMS-HEMA obtained. More importantly, the PDMS-HEMA/PES composite membrane exhibited a CO2/O2 gas selectivity of ∼6.5 in comparison to ∼5.5 of PDMS/PES, indicating improved gas exchange efficiency. Nevertheless, the PDMS-HEMA/PES composite membrane also displayed excellent and much improved performance in hemocompatibility and long-term stability for storage as well as against blood wetting. Therefore, side-chain modification of hydrophobic PDMS with hydrophilic HEMA through simple chemical copolymerization process is an easy and feasible method to make the membrane surface with long-term amphiphilicity less thrombogenic in contact with blood and more efficient in gas exchanges.