ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) in the therapy of respiration and circulation failure in newborns and children

Abstract

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used for extracorporeal support of heart and/or lung function by means of a mechanical device. ECMO belongs to a complex of highly specialized care provided to patients with circulatory and/or ventilatory failures after all conventional therapeutic methods had failed.

We present an overview of ECMO and demonstrate its usefulness in newborns and children treated with this invasive rescue method at our center.

Keywords

• ECMO
• respiratory failure
• circulatory failure
• mechanical ventilation