Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Critically Ill Patients With 2009 Influenza A (H1N1)-Related Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Preliminary Experience From a Single Center

From early May 2009, the novel influenza A (H1N1) pandemic affected mainland China. Of those infected, a small proportion of patients developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) so rapidly and severely that conventional ventilation treatment was ineffective. As an alternative treatment, the effect of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was evaluated. From November 2009 to January 2010, all patients suffering from influenza A (H1N1)-associated ARDS referred to Beijing Anzhen Hospital for treatment with ECMO were enrolled. We describe the characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of these patients at 1- and 3-month follow-up. Nine patients (four females; mean age, 31.2 [21-59] years) from four centers were enrolled. All females had a history of recent pregnancy or had recently given birth. Before ECMO, patients had severe respiratory failure despite advanced mechanical ventilatory support with a mean partial pressure of arterial oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen of 52.9 +/- 5.1 (45.0-63.8) mm Hg, positive end-expiratory pressure of 17.2 +/- 4.2 cmH(2)O, and a Murray Lung Score of 3.6 (3.25-3.75). All nine patients were treated with veno-venous ECMO via percutaneous access. The mean duration of ECMO support was 436.6 +/- 652.1 h (67.0-2160.0). At the end of 1-year follow-up, five patients (55.7%) were weaned from ECMO. Five patients (55.7%) survived to hospital discharge. Four patients (44.4%) died while undergoing ECMO. The mean length of intensive care unit and hospital stay was 4-204 days (median, 32) and 4-234 days (median, 38), respectively. There was no significant difference between survivors and nonsurvivors in the screened parameters. Use of ECMO for critically ill patients with 2009 influenza A (H1N1)-related ARDS is feasible and effective. However, this treatment is technically demanding. For success, careful selection of patients is crucial.