Early Versus Late Initiation of ECMO (Extracorporal Membrane Oxygenation) Trial (ELIEO-Trial)

This trial is a prospective randomized multicenter trial that assigns patients to either a treatment for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) with an Extracorporal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) immediately after admission to the intensive care unit or conservative treatment. The later can undergo ECMO following failure of conservative therapy as a rescue therapy. Patients will be included within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms of ARDS and will be randomized according to standard procedure. Follow-up will be performed until day 90 after study inclusion.