The development and use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in neonates

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is the utilization of a modified heart-lung machine to provide temporary support for patients with severe respiratory or cardiac failure. In contrast to patients managed with traditional cardiopulmonary bypass, patients on ECMO undergo cannulation of relatively accessible blood vessels, are maintained at normal body temperature, and only require partial anticoagulation with heparin. Although first developed for use in adults, ECMO has been most successful in the treatment of newborn infants with life-threatening pulmonary failure. Since 1974, over 17,000 infants have received ECMO with a 78% survival rate. There is a 15%–20% incidence of neurodevelopmental disabilities among ECMO survivors.