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. 2015 Jun:91:73-5.
doi: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2015.03.021. Epub 2015 Apr 9.

Ethics in the use of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in adults

Kevin R Riggs  1 , Lance B Becker  2 , Jeremy Sugarman  3
Affiliations

Ethics in the use of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in adults

Kevin R Riggs et al. Resuscitation. 2015 Jun.

Abstract

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) promises to be an important advance in the treatment of cardiac arrest. However, ECPR involves ethical challenges that should be addressed as it diffuses into practice. Benefits and risks are uncertain, so the evidence base needs to be further developed, at least through outcomes registries and potentially with randomized trials. To inform decision making, patients' preferences regarding ECPR should be obtained, both from the general population and from inpatients at risk for cardiac arrest. Fair and transparent appropriate use criteria should be developed and could be informed by economic analyses.

Keywords: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Ethics; Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest Statement

Dr. Riggs has no potential conflicts of interest to declare. Dr. Sugarman serves as the Ethics Officer for the NIH Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium. Dr. Becker serves on the Data Safety Monitoring Committee and Protocol Review Committee of the NIH Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium.

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