title: Successful weaning from 65-day extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy in influenza-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Data on prolonged extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) usage in influenza associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are lacking. Furthermore, no consensus exists on when to terminate ECMO treatment in refractory cases. This report highlights additional treatment measures and complications in prolonged ECMO therapy and discusses associated ethical burdens.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report on a 64-year-old man with confirmed H1N1 influenza virus infection who was successfully weaned from 65-day ECMO treatment with an excellent outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our experience suggests that prolonged ECMO therapy may be provided as long as only 1-organ failure exists and no lung fibrosis occurs. Active physical therapy, facilitated by ECMO treatment, is crucial and should be performed as early as possible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine I - Intensive Care Unit 13i2, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna - Austria.
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Buchtele
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine I - Intensive Care Unit 13i2, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna - Austria.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schellongowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine I - Intensive Care Unit 13i2, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna - Austria.
authors.forename: Andja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bojic
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine I - Intensive Care Unit 13i2, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna - Austria.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hermann
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine I - Intensive Care Unit 13i2, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna - Austria.
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Robak
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine I - Intensive Care Unit 13i2, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna - Austria.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lamm
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine I - Intensive Care Unit 13i2, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna - Austria.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Staudinger
mesh_terms: D045853:Exhalation; D015199:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome