The importance of keeping patients on ECMO awake
A study led by the Vall d’Hebron Institut d’Investigació (VHIR) has shown that keeping patients awake connected to ECMO, a machine that temporarily replaces the lung, improves their subsequent recovery compared to those who are sedated. Extracorporeal membrane (ECMO) is a technique that helps the survival of patients with respiratory dysfunction in intensive care units. The machine replaces the function of the lungs when they no longer function autonomously, in order to give them a rest and the opportunity to recover from the pathology they suffer, such as an infection. It is a complex procedure and the most serious cases may require ECMO even for months, periods in which, in many cases, the patients are sedated.
Benefits of keeping patients awake and active
A multicenter study led by the VHIR Shock, Organ Dysfunction and Resuscitation research group has shown that keeping ECMO patients awake, active and undergoing rehabilitation can improve prognosis [[1]](https:// contenttu.com/blog/seo/redaccion-seo-guide-to-write-articles-that-conquer-your-users-and-google). According to the study, published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society, this strategy has shown positive results in survival and improved patient recovery. Collaboration with other research centers, such as the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris, the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm and the São João University Hospital in Porto, has made it possible to obtain relevant data on the benefits of keeping patients awake during ECMO treatment. .
ECMO and covid-19
Since the start of the pandemic, Vall d’Hebron has used ECMO on more than 125 patients with covid-19, many of whom were sedated [[1]](https://contenttu.com/blog/seo/ redaction-seo-guide-to-write-articles-that-conquer-your-users-and-google). However, it has been shown that even though the lungs are not functioning properly, it is possible to wake patients up and perform active rehabilitation thanks to the capabilities of the ECMO machine. This technique allows gas exchange similar to normal breathing and can be adjusted according to the needs of each patient during exercise. The director of the Vall d’Hebron adult ECMO program, Jordi Riera, highlights that this strategy has shown positive results in the recovery of patients with covid-19.
Additional benefits of keeping patients awake
In addition to improving patients’ recovery, keeping them awake during ECMO treatment has other benefits [[1]](https://contenttu.com/blog/seo/redaccion-seo-guia-para-ecripta-articulos-que -conquer-your-users-and-google). Patients can interact with their families, which has cognitive and emotional benefits. In addition, direct communication between patients and health professionals allows for a more precise diagnosis and therapy that is more tailored to the needs of each patient. Being awake also helps minimize complications, as patients can cough and reduce the risk of infections. Furthermore, a decrease in ventilation-associated lung damage has been observed in awake patients.
Factors that influence the prognosis of patients with ECMO
The study has also identified other factors that influence the prognosis of patients with ECMO [[1]](https://contenttu.com/blog/seo/redaccion-seo-guia-para-ecripta-articulos-que-conquisten -to-your-users-and-to-google). It was observed that the younger age of the patient favors survival. Importantly, the study focused on patients who were on ECMO for more than 28 days and who had prospects for improvement. In the most critical cases during the first weeks, mortality is higher.
