Intraoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and the possibility of postoperative prolongation improve survival in bilateral lung transplantation

Intraoperative ECMO results in superior survival when compared with transplantation without any extracorporeal support. The concept of prophylactic postoperative ECMO prolongation is associated with excellent outcomes in recipients with pulmonary hypertension and in patients with questionable graft function at the end of implantation.