Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period: Two Case Reports and Narrative Review

In recent times, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is increasingly employed in pregnant and postpartum patients with severe cardiopulmonary failure. This article presents two illustrative cases from our tertiary care center, highlighting the complexities of obstetric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation management. These cases are described within a synthesis of recent systematic reviews, registry data, and large case series focusing on maternal and fetal outcomes, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation modality impacts, timing of intervention, complication profiles, and anesthetic considerations. The concordance and contrasts between these cases and the existing literature underscore the evolving indications, improving survival rates, and critical perioperative management issues. Emphasis on multidisciplinary care and planning remains essential to optimize outcomes in this unique patient population.