title: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in adults with acute respiratory distress syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the last 2 years' publications for evidence supporting use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for critically ill adults with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  First, there are no new prospective studies comparing ECMO and other therapy in adults with ARDS. Second, the number of review articles and case descriptions published in the last 2 years suggests increased interest in ECMO. Third, recently published retrospective cohort studies analyzing patients from the H1N1 epidemic report conflicting conclusions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intensivists may have increased their utilization of ECMO. Credible evidence for mortality benefit of ECMO is lacking. A prospective randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the efficacy of ECMO for ARDS is overdue.
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary and Critical Care Divisions, Departments of Medicine, Intermountain Healthcare Urban Central, Murray, Utah 84157-7000, USA. ellie.hirshberg@imail.org
authors.forename: Eliotte
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hirshberg
authors.forename: Russell R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Alan H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Morris
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000401:mortality; D015199:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D018579:Patient Selection; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis