Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for influenza A (H1N1): experience in a regional referral center

The novel influenza A H1N1 virus can cause, in a restricted subgroup of infected patients, an acute respiratory failure not responding to conventional treatment. In selected cases, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been applied with a 21% mortality rate. Here we report the experience of the ICU of a regional referral center for ECMO (Careggi Teaching Hospital, Florence, Italy).