Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)
ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) is a cardiopulmonary bypass technique that provides long-term respiratory (breathing) and cardiac (heart) support to children who have reversible respiratory or cardiac problems that haven't responded to conventional treatment.
ECMO can support patients for days to weeks while doctors treat their underlying illness. With this technology, many children who would have otherwise succumbed to lethal illnesses have gone on to full recovery.
ECMO can help infants and children with a variety of medical problems and conditions, including:
- Meconium aspiration
- Persistent pulmonary hypertension
- Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome (pneumonia)
- Cardiac problems after heart surgery
- End-stage cardiac or respiratory failure (as a bridge to transplant)
The ECMO Program at CHOP is one of the most active in the country. Each of our attending pediatric surgeons is specially trained in this technique, and participates on the ECMO team with intensivists, perfusionists, nurses and respiratory therapists. The program has been designated a Center of Excellence by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization. We can provide ECMO in the Newborn/Infant Intensive Care Unit, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
Because ECMO is available, pediatric surgeons at Children's Hospital can use these extensive resources when treating the most critically ill patients. Teaching conferences and research activities ensure that the program continues to develop and maintain the most up-to-date techniques in extracorporeal life support.
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