Physical therapy and rehabilitation issues for patients supported with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Thiagarajan, Ravi R. | Teele, Sarah A. | Teele, Katharine P. | Beke, Dorothy M.

Affiliations: Department of Cardiology, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, MA, USA | Department of Nursing, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, MA, USA

Note: [] Corresponding author: Ravi Thiagarajan MBBS, MPH, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Children's Hospital Boston, 300, Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Tel.: +1 617 355 7866; Fax: +1 617 713 3808, E-mail: ravi.thiagarajan@cardio.chboston.org

Abstract: Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is widely used to support patients who have failed conventional therapies for cardio-respiratory failure. Patient immobility during management of critical illness and ECMO support can result in physical impairment that can lead to prolonged hospitalization and poor functional outcomes for ECMO survivors. Although little information regarding the role of physical therapy in improving functional outcomes for ECMO patients is available, early intervention with physical therapy may decrease duration of hospitalization and improve functional outcomes for patients supported with ECMO.

Keywords: Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, outcomes, physical therapy, neurological injury, rehabilitation

DOI: 10.3233/PRM-2012-0195

Journal: Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 47-52, 2012