Application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in heart and lung transplantation

Objective To study the clinical application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation（ECMO） in lung and heart transplantation. Methods Clinical data about 2 cases who underwent heart transplantation,1 case who underwent lung transplantation and 1 case who underwent lung-kidney transplantation,during which ECMO was applied,were retrospectively analyzed.Clinical effect of ECMO on patients during lung and heart transplantation was analyzed. Results The ECMO was applied for 12 days before lung-kidney transplantation and for 17 days after the operation in 1 case.It was applied,instead of routine extracorporeal circulation,in 2 cases during heart transplantation and 1 case during lung transplantation.One patient died of multiple organ failure after lung-kidney transplantation while the other 3 cases were discharged after they recovered. Conclusion Early application of ECMO can effectively help patients with heart and lung failure during heart and lung transplantation.ECMO,instead of routine extracorporeal circulation,can meet the needs of most patients during heart and lung transplantation,and can be used as an effective adjuvant therapy for those with heart and lung failure.