Sheree Jordan

I can not believe the responses here. There ARE Adult ECMO survivors. The survival is about 40-50%, although it is lower than the neonatal population these patients tend to be much sicker. I work at one of the few predominatly adult centers in the US. I am from the center at LSUMC in Shreveport, Louisiana and I know that Michigan also has similar survival rates in their adult population. Our survivors have been anywhere from 18-60 years of age. We have had survivors with Ashthma, Legionella, other atypical pneumonias, and other diseases that cause ARDS. We have also had excellent results with obstetric patients. One of our survivors actually delivered on ECMO. Adult ECMO is a little more work than neonates and the survival rate is not as good. There is also ongoing research for adults with ARDS to increase their survival rates (liquid ventilation, AVCOR). But YES, you do help people and within 6 months their lung function is back to normal.