Diffuse Cerebral Microbleeds after Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support
Abstract
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used to provide cardiac and/or pulmonary support in patients refractory to conventional therapies (1, 2). We describe here four patients who demonstrated extensive cerebral microbleeds in the context of persistent coma after ECMO support. Unexpectedly, all patients recovered full consciousness and had (for three of them) no or slight disabilities 1 year after intensive care unit (ICU) discharge.