Einfluss der extracorporalen Membranoxygenierung (EMCO) auf die gesundheitbezogene Lebensqualität bei langzeitüberlebenden Patienten nach akutem Lungenversagen (ARDS)

The purpose of this study was to determine the health-related quality of life in patients who were diagnosed with acute respiratory failure and treated with ECMO. The study group was compared with a group of patients who suffered aswell on ARDS, but received only conventional treatment. The study involved 71 patients, 35 patients were treated with ECMO and 36 patients were conventionally treated. The cross-sectional study was conducted retrospectively using three different questionnaires. The evaluation of the results showed that there was no significant difference between the patient populations in terms of their health-related quality of life for the SF-36 questionnaire and the SGRQ questionnaire. However a tendency was to be observed that the ECMO patients obtained in most areas of questionnaires lower scores in terms of their health-related quality of life. For the supplementary questionnaire, some significant differences between the patient populations could be found. However, the supplement questionnaire represents no validated and standardized instrument. So the question remains whether the differences found are specifically attributable to ECMO therapy, or if adverse circumstances must be taken in context, such as the underlying disease, aswell as complications and late effects of prolonged Intensive care. Treatment with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therefore seems to have no significant impact on the health-related quality of life of patients with ARDS. In this respect, the results of this study support early deployment of ECMO therapy in ARDS patients.