Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Will this therapy continue to be as efficacious in the future?
The efficacy of ECMO has been discussed. If only a dichotomous live/die outcome is used as a measure of utility, ECMO is efficacious for infants with a greater than 20% mortality rate. Using a Bayesian approach and neonatal follow-up data, one concludes that ECMO, as used at present, is effective. Future measures of efficacy will vary depending on utility measures used, the populations studied, and the relative efficacy of alternative therapies.
Schumacher
R E
RE
Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
D015199:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn