The aim of the randomised controlled trial of Conventional ventilatory support vs extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for severe adult respiratory failure ( CESAR ) is to assess whether , for patients with severe , but potentially reversible , respiratory failure , extracorporeal membrane oxygenation will increase the rate of survival without severe disability ( ` confined to bed ' and ` unable to wash or dress ' ) by six months post-randomisation , and be cost effective from the viewpoints of the NHS and society , compared to conventional ventilatory support .
