Advances in Extracorporeal Life Support in Critically Ill Patients

Patients suffering from heart and lung failure are in need of highly complex treatment and are severely threatened by immediate risk for mortality. Once medical treatment options are exhausted, the only way to maintain hemodynamic or respiratory stability is provided by extracorporeal life support. Beginning in the 1960s, extracorporeal life support has evolved extensively throughout the years, especially in critically ill patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome or cardiogenic shock. With technology advances, indications increase, and the numbers of specialist centers rise, ECMO is however not without risks. Complications that occur in patients on ECMO include neurological and renal injury, with bleeding and coagulopathy being the most common. ECMO is associated with an inflammatory response promoting a hypercoagulable state, requiring anticoagulation to avoid thromboembolism originating in the nonendothelial surfaced circuit. Further studies are needed to minimize morbid complications during ECMO all in an effort to improve quality of care.

The aim of this Research Topic is to highlight relevant research studies in the field of extracorporeal life support in critically ill patients. we aim to update the indications, hemodynamic monitoring, mechanical ventilator settings, anticoagulation, nutrition support, patient transportation, et al. This Research Topic welcomes basic, translational, and clinical studies, including research based on animal models, experimental or real-world studies, methodological or theoretical advances.

We welcome submissions of Original Research, Case Report, Commentary, Opinion, and Review articles. The subject areas of interest include but are not limited to:
• ECMO support in COVID-19
• ECMO in transplantations
• ECMO in ARDS
• ECMO in cardiogenic shock
• ECPR
• Patient management during CPB
• IABP in AMI
• IABP in cardiogenic shock
• Impella in cardiogenic shock
• Patient transportation