Trial of Total Lung Protective Ventilation in Adult VV-ECMO Patients With Severe ARDS
The purpose of this study is to find a better way to protect the lungs of patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) who are being treated with a mechanical ventilator in addition to an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machine. ARDS is a serious lung condition that makes it hard to breathe. People with ARDS often need care in the intensive care unit (ICU) and can become very sick with high mortality rates despite optimal care. Doctors usually support patients with through ARDS with a breathing machine called a ventilator. The ventilator helps lungs imitate taking small breaths to help protect the lungs from more damage, however ventilator induced lung injury (VILI) can still contribute significantly to organ injury. For patients in whom a ventilator is not enough support due to the severity of their lung disease, veno-venous (VV) ECMO can fully support the lungs while they recover. In these sickest patients, it is important to avoid causing more lung damage with the ventilator. Protecting the lungs may help them heal faster and may also help protect other parts of the body. More people are now being treated with VV ECMO, but there is still not enough research to know which ventilator settings are safest and work best. Most current recommendations are based on doctors' experience instead of research studies. This study will help researchers learn the best way to use ventilators for patients on VV ECMO and improve their recovery.
On VV ECMO for less than 24 hours at time of study consent [+5]
Have received ECMO for >24 hours [+7]