Beyond ECMO Survival: Long-Term Symptom Burden and Quality-of-Life Impairment in Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome Survivors

This study investigates the long-term recovery of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) survivors in Chile, focusing on those who required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and those who did not. Among 21 survivors, 61.9% reported incomplete recovery 3-6 months post-symptom onset. ECMO survivors experienced more motor dysfunction and palpitations, while non-ECMO survivors reported higher rates of pain/discomfort and analgesic self-medication. Despite advances in critical care improving survival rates, both groups showed comparable quality-of-life impairments, underscoring the need for comprehensive post-discharge care to address persistent physical and neuropsychological symptoms in HCPS survivors.