Which statement about ECMO indications is NOT correct?

Which statement about ECMO indications is NOT correct?

• A. Hypoxia
• B. Barotrauma
• C. Pulmonary hypertension
• D. Neonatal jaundice

Answer: (D)

ECMO indications center on life-threatening cardio-respiratory failure where the lungs and/or heart cannot provide adequate gas exchange despite optimized ventilation and medical therapy. Severe hypoxemia that cannot be corrected with maximal ventilation is a primary reason to consider ECMO. Barotrauma reflects significant ventilator-induced lung injury risk, so using ECMO to allow lung rest and gentler ventilation can be the best option to protect the lungs while exchange continues. Severe pulmonary hypertension that remains unresponsive to conventional treatment can also warrant ECMO as a bridge to recovery or until the condition improves. Neonatal jaundice, on the other hand, is a bilirubin-related issue managed with phototherapy or exchange transfusion and does not involve failure of gas exchange or support of cardiac function, so it is not an ECMO indication.

ECMO indications center on life-threatening cardio-respiratory failure where the lungs and/or heart cannot provide adequate gas exchange despite optimized ventilation and medical therapy. Severe hypoxemia that cannot be corrected with maximal ventilation is a primary reason to consider ECMO. Barotrauma reflects significant ventilator-induced lung injury risk, so using ECMO to allow lung rest and gentler ventilation can be the best option to protect the lungs while exchange continues. Severe pulmonary hypertension that remains unresponsive to conventional treatment can also warrant ECMO as a bridge to recovery or until the condition improves. Neonatal jaundice, on the other hand, is a bilirubin-related issue managed with phototherapy or exchange transfusion and does not involve failure of gas exchange or support of cardiac function, so it is not an ECMO indication.