Photo Credit: iStock.com/Akiromaru

ECMO use in cystic fibrosis with severe respiratory failure showed limited survival, highlighting the need for cautious clinical decision-making.  

Researchers conducted a retrospective study published in June 2025 issue of BMC Pulmonary Medicine to examine the role of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) and severe respiratory failure requiring invasive mechanical ventilation.  

They performed a descriptive, monocentric cohort study using data from electronic medical records. The analysis included all individuals with CF who received ECMO therapy between 2012 and 2021. The study was carried out at the non-surgical intensive care unit of the University Hospital of Frankfurt, Germany (tertiary care level center and nationally certified CF center).  

The results showed that 72 individuals with CF received intensive care treatment during the study period. Among them, 46 required invasive mechanical ventilation, ECMO was used in 9 individuals with severe respiratory failure caused by pulmonary exacerbation. In-hospital mortality occurred in 8 out of 9 cases, reflecting a rate of 88.9%. None of the individuals underwent lung transplantation. The p. Phe508del homozygous or heterozygous genotype was the most frequent CF mutation. Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization showed a significant association with in-hospital mortality.  

Investigators concluded that ECMO support in individuals with CF and severe hypoxemic respiratory failure was linked to high mortality and required careful consideration due to the elevated risk and unfavorable outcomes. 

Source: bmcpulmmed.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12890-025-03745-3