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Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation | Peer Reviewed Journals


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Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a treatment that uses a pump to circulate blood through an artificial lung back into the bloodstream of a very ill baby. This system provides heart-lung bypass support outside of the baby's body. It may help support a child who is awaiting a heart or lung transplant.

ECMO is used in infants who are sick due to breathing or heart problems. The purpose of ECMO is to provide enough oxygen to the baby while allowing time for the lungs and heart to rest or heal.

The most common conditions that may require ECMO are:

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) Birth defects of the heart Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) Severe pneumonia Severe air leak problems Severe high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs (PPHN)

It may also be used during the recovery period after heart surgery.

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