PD303 - COMPLICATIONS OF ECMO: THE HIDDEN COST OF LIFE-SAVING SUPPORT

PD303

COMPLICATIONS OF ECMO: THE HIDDEN COST OF LIFE-SAVING SUPPORT

A. Spiljak^1,2,*

¹Institute for Healthcare of Transportation Employees Sarajevo, ²Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Rationale: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life-saving therapy for patients with severe cardiac or respiratory failure. However, its use is associated with significant complications that may adversely affect outcomes and resource utilization.

Methods: A narrative review of the literature was conducted using PubMed, focusing on recent English-language studies addressing ECMO-related complications in adult critically ill patients

Results: Common complications include bleeding, thromboembolic events, infection, hemolysis, and neurological injury. These complications are associated with prolonged intensive care unit stay, increased transfusion requirements, and higher morbidity and mortality. Early recognition and multidisciplinary management are essential to minimize adverse outcomes.

Conclusion: While ECMO provides crucial life support, its associated complications represent a substantial clinical burden. Increased awareness, careful patient selection, and standardized management strategies are essential to improve outcomes in ECMO-treated patients.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared