Early Versus Late Initiation of ECMO (Extracorporal Membrane Oxygenation) Trial (ELIEO-Trial)

Patients suffering acute ARDS defined according to the Berlin Definition starting from severe stage with acute onset and (i) ratio partial arterial pressure of oxygen fraction of inspired oxygen inspired oxygen fraction (PaO2/ FiO2) ≤ 200 (ii) Bilateral opacities consistent with pulmonary edema on frontal chest radiograph, and (iii) requirement for positive pressure ventilation via an endotracheal tube or non-invasive ventilation (iv) no clinical evidence of left atrial hypertension, or if measured, a Pulmonary Arterial Wedge Pressure (PAOP) less than or equal to 18 mm Hg (v) less than 96 hours from onset of ARDS (vi) less than 7 days from the initiation of mechanical ventilation will be treated by ECMO either within 24 hours to referral to an ARDS ECMO center or as rescue therapy after failure of conventional therapy. Outcome measures have been chosen according to robustness and sensitivity to change. They are of high clinical impact and reflect the treatment effect desired by clinicians. Primary efficacy endpoint: All cause mortality by 90-days. Key secondary endpoints are: 2\. 28 day all cause mortality 3. SOFA Organ Failure Scores at day at day 1-7, 14, 28 and 90 days 4. Duration of mechanical ventilation support 5. ICU length of stay