METHODS: RESULTS: Among 239 pulmonary resections performed between 2005 and 2006, 7 patients (2.9%) experienced, 4 +/- 0.8 days after 5
pneumonectomies and 2 lobectomies, a severe (Murray score, 2.9 +/- 0.3)
acute respiratory distress syndrome unresponsive to 4 +/- 2 days of conventional
therapy. The interventional lung-assist membrane
ventilator was left in place 4.3 +/- 2.5 days, and replaced only once for massive clotting. During this time, 29% +/- 0.3% or 1.4 +/- 0.36 L/min of the cardiac output perfused the device, without hemodynamic impairment. Using a sweep gas flow of 10.7 +/- 3.8 L/min, the device allowed an extracorporeal
carbon dioxide removal of 255 +/- 31 mL/min, lung(s) rest (tidal volume, 2.7 +/- 0.8 mL/kg; respiratory rate, 6 +/- 2 beats/min; fraction of inspired
oxygen, 0.5 +/- 0.1), early (<24 hours) significant improvement of respiratory function, and reduction of plasmatic
interleukin-6 levels (p < 0.001) and Murray score (1.25 +/- 0.1; p < 0.003). All but 1 patient (14%) who died of multiorgan failure were weaned from
mechanical ventilation 8 +/- 3 days after removal of the interventional lung-assist membrane
ventilator, and all of them were discharged from the hospital.
CONCLUSIONS: