Trauma-Related Psychopathology in Parents Following ECMO: A Qualitative Study

Monday, March 23, 2026

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Central Time

Location: Connections Central - RST 09

Oliver Karam, MD, PhD (he/him/his)

Yale Medicine, Connecticut

Disclosure information not submitted.
LM

Lucile Mivelaz-Equey, MD

Post-doctoral fellow
Yale School of Medicine

Disclosure information not submitted.
RJ

Rachel Johnson, MD

Assistant Professor
Yale University School of Medicine

Disclosure information not submitted.
CC

Carlos Carmona, DO

Fellow
Phoenix Children's Hospital

Disclosure information not submitted.
AD

Ashley Demory, MD

Fellow
Yale School of Medicine

Disclosure information not submitted.
JF

Jamie Furlong-Dillard, DO

Assistant Professor
Norton Childrens Hospital

Disclosure information not submitted.
CT

Chani Traube, MD, FAAP, FCCM

Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York

Disclosure information not submitted.
IH

Ilan Harpa- Rotem, PhD

Professor
Yale School of Medicine

Disclosure information not submitted.
MS

Mona Sharifi, MD, MPH

Associate Professor
Yale School of Medicine

Disclosure information not submitted.
KL

Kelly Lyons, DO

Professor of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
University of Louisville, Norton Children's Hospital

Disclosure information not submitted.

Introduction: Every two hours, a child is placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) worldwide. While lifesaving, ECMO is associated with high complication rates with up to 70% of serious events such as bleeding or thrombosis, infection, neurologic injury and circuit issues, and mortality reaches 45% in cardiac failure. Beyond these physical risks were an often-overlooked consequence, parents endure prolonged uncertainty, repeated crises, and emotionally charged decisions, which can lead to trauma-related- psychopathology. This study aimed to better understand the lived experiences of parents following their child’s ECMO course.

Methods: In this multicenter qualitative study, parents of children who underwent ECMO completed the IES-R and HADS to screen for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression, followed by semi-structured interviews on their overall experience, team dynamics, long-term impact, and regret. Qualitative analysis was performed using a grounded theory approach with three independent coders with attention to individual reflexivity. Through bi-weekly meetings, initial and axial codes were generated, leading to final thematic construct.

Results: Ten parents across four sites were enrolled. High probability of PTSD (IES-R >39) was found in 60%, and 50% screened positive for anxiety and/or depression (HADS >11). These findings were mirrored in the qualitative analysis where trauma emerged as final theme. When evaluating the overall ECMO experience, parents reported fear of unknown outcomes and the long-term impact on both their child and siblings. Regarding communication during ECMO, parents desired clear communication and potentially written resources on ECMO support. Parents emphasized the desire for involvement in decisions around comforting their child and noted they trusted the medical team in medical decision making surrounding ECMO. Positive parent-staff relationships were frequently emphasized by parents. While most had no regrets about pursuing ECMO, some regretted staff communication or word choices.

Conclusions: Trauma-related psychopathology is common and enduring among parents following their child’s ECMO. Many meet criteria for PTSD, anxiety, or depression. These findings highlight the urgent need for trauma-informed care practices.