Table 1. Indications and contraindications for ECMO bridging.

Indications

Refractory hypoxemia or hypercarbia or right heart failure despite optimal medical management in a patient who is a potential candidate for lung transplantation

Absolute contraindications

Ineligibility for lung transplantation according to standard criteria

Irreversible end-organ damage affecting multiple organs

Sepsis and bacteremia

Contraindications to systemic anticoagulation

Uncontrolled metastatic disease

Other terminal illness that is not otherwise treatable with a lung transplant

Acute intracerebral hemorrhage or stroke

Relative contraindications

Age >65 years

Limitations in vascular access

Obesity (BMI >30)

Frailty

Allosensitization with prolonged waitlist time

Prolonged ventilatory support

ECMO, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; BMI, body mass index.