Best pre-ductal PaO2 prior to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as predictor of mortality in patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia: a retrospective analysis of a Japanese database

This multicenter study of 34 neonates with CDH requiring ECMO found that best pre-ductal PaO2 within 24 hours of birth predicts mortality, with values below 42.9 mmHg indicating 88.9% positive predictive value for death. The finding helps clinicians counsel families about prognosis before ECMO initiation in cases of severe pulmonary hypoplasia.