Current opinion in anaesthesiology
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As the field of interventional pulmonology continues to expand and develop at a rapid pace, anesthesiologists are increasingly called upon to provide well tolerated anesthetic care during these procedures. These patients may not be candidates for surgical treatment and often have multiple comorbidities. It is important for anesthesiologists to familiarize themselves with these procedures and their associated risks and complications. ⋯ The review summarizes the procedures now commonly performed by interventional pulmonologists and interventional radiologists. It discusses the anesthetic considerations for and common complications of these procedures to prepare anesthesiologists to safely care for these patients. Investigational techniques are also described.
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The applications for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for lung support are constantly evolving. This review highlights fundamental concepts in extracorporeal lung support and describes directions for future research. ⋯ Extracorporeal lung support is a safe and an easily implemented intervention for refractory respiratory failure. Recent advances have extended its use beyond acute illnesses and the developments for chronic support will facilitate the development of durable devices and possible artificial lung development.