Maternal and Fetal Recovery after Severe Respiratory Failure: A Case Report of Air Transportation of a Pregnant Woman on ECMO Using the CentriMag Transporter System.

In this excellent case report the authors describe the use of ECMO on a 28 year old pregenant female (26 weeks gestation) that developed ARDS requiring ECMO support for survival. The outcome for both mother and child was described as excellent with both being discharged from hospital care.  The article has several important elements regarding ECMO for pulmonary failure and adds to the successful management of these patients with factors including pregnancy and long distance air transport. With recent reports of ECMO use increasing upwards of 400% over the last several years, technological advancements and improved protocols, including earlier intervention, the use of ECMO may increase to a point that manpower considerations may be something that needs to be addressed by the acute care community in advance to avoid an inability to provide an effective therapy for patients with severe pulmonary failure.