What are common contraindications for ECMO?

The identification of contraindications for ECMO is crucial in determining patient eligibility for the procedure. Common contraindications include advanced terminal illness and uncontrolled bleeding.

Advanced terminal illness suggests a poor prognosis where the potential benefits of ECMO might not outweigh the risks involved, such as prolonged suffering or a low likelihood of recovery. In the case of uncontrolled bleeding, ECMO can exacerbate the situation due to the need for anticoagulation to prevent circuit thrombosis, increasing the risk of further bleeding complications.

Other choices do not accurately reflect common contraindications. For example, young age and high fitness level generally support a favorable outcome and are not contraindications. Obesity and diabetes, while they may pose challenges in some cases, do not inherently disqualify a patient from receiving ECMO. A history of cardiovascular diseases may raise concerns regarding the patient's overall prognosis but does not automatically serve as a contraindication in the same way that advanced terminal illness or uncontrolled bleeding would.