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Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

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ECMO is a method of life support in acute respiratory failure by providing recycled, oxygenated blood for the circulation. The most successful results with ECMO have been obtained in mature infants with poor adaptation to extra-uterine life:

  • persistent fetal circulation
  • meconium aspiration
  • diaphragmatic hernia

Amongst neonates with these conditions, ECMO has sustained a survival rate of greater than 80%. The multicentre randomised, controlled UK Collaborative ECMO Trial is currently being evaluated.

Increasingly ECMO is being used for older children with respiratory failure. Survival in this group is improving with the technique. Also, it has been used to treat children with burns and severe but reversible cardiorespiratory failure.


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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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