Beating the Odds: Survival After Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Decannulation Due to Poor Prognosis in…

Cohort studyASAIO journal (American Society for Artificial Internal Organs : 1992)· Aug 2026

Beating the Odds: Survival After Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Decannulation Due to Poor Prognosis in Children-An Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry Study.

Aurélie Wanders, Ravi R Thiagarajan, Justyna Swol, Angelo Polito

Transplant & Mechanical SupportCohort studyPrognosisQ2IF 2.0

Survival after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation decannulation for poor prognosis in children is rare but possible.

Beating the Odds: Survival After Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Decannulation Due to Poor Prognosis in Children-An Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry Study.

Aurélie Wanders … Angelo Polito

ASAIO journal (American Society for Artificial Internal Organs · Aug 2026 · Q2 in General Medicine

Background

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) is a life-saving intervention for critically ill children.

Methods

Among 6,662 cases decannulated for poor prognosis, we identified patients who survived until hospital discharge.

n = 6,662 cases

Results

Only 18 of 6,662 children survived to discharge after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was stopped for poor prognosis.

2.7mmol/L

Survivors

6.2mmol/L

Nonsurvivors

More results

However, decisions regarding discontinuation due to poor prognosis remain ethically complex.

While outcomes after successful weaning are well described, survival following decannulation for perceived futility is poorly understood.

More results

Patient characteristics, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation parameters, complications, and outcomes were compared between survivors and nonsurvivors.

Survival after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation decannulation for poor prognosis is rare but possible (1/370 cases).

“

Conclusion

Lower pre-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation lactate levels and pulmonary indications may indicate potential for unexpected recovery, highlighting uncertainty in prognostication and the importance of individualized, multidisciplinary decision-making.

Beating the Odds: Survival After Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Decannulation Due to Poor Prognosis in Children-An Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry Study.

Beating the Odds: Survival After Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Decannulation Due to Poor Prognosis in Children-An Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry Study.

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