Conclusion
In our study group, we were able to show that the level of nucleated red blood cells is an excellent marker for predicting mortality on ECMO. Of course, diagnosis and treatment decisions in the context of ECMO procedures should never be based on one laboratory value, but decision making in the context of a scoring system in the ethical dilemma "is the patient still alive or am I just keeping him alive" should be the goal for future studies. In terms of its prognostic significance, such a score should include the level and progression of NRBCs.