Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in pregnancy

Background: Safety and efficacy of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in pregnancy is unknown. Case: A 33-year-old pregnant woman at 23 weeks of gestation presented with acute respiratory distress syndrome unresponsive to conventional mechanical ventilation. Early initiation of ECMO therapy along with protective mechanical ventilation strategy resulted in an excellent maternal and fetal outcome. Conclusion: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation can be life saving when initiated early in pregnant patients with severe acute respiratory insufficiency unresponsive to conventional mechanical ventilation.