CaRe-ECMO Program on ECMO Weaning

Mortality of patients suffering critical illness has been dramatically improved with advanced technological development of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy. However, weaning rate stayed low in a majority of ECMO-supported patients. As one of several options, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation serves as effective intervention in the improvement of cardiovascular and respiratory function in various major critical illness. Nonetheless, its roles in facilitating ECMO weaning has not yet been explored. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation on rate of ready for weaning in ECMO-supported patients (CaRe-ECMO).