Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) after thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair poses a formidable challenge. Despite conventional maneuvers in the operating room, perioperative ARDS may require extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). We present three cases of successful ECMO for ARDS after TAAA repair and discuss management of anticoagulation and cerebrospinal fluid drains. Our experience suggests that ECMO is reasonable in selected patients after TAAA repair.
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