EXTRACORPOREAL MEMBRANE OXYGENATION IN CHILDREN

Course overview

EXTRACORPOREAL MEMBRANE OXYGENATION (ECMO) IS A WELL-KNOWN MEANS OF ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT IN PATIENTS WITH SIGNIFICANT CARDIORESPIRATORY IMPAIRMENT REFRACTORY TO CONVENTIONAL THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS. IT IS A SALVAGE RESCUE THERAPY THAT CAN RESULT IN NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES IF UTILIZED BY UNFAMILIAR PERSONNEL. NEVERTHELESS, THERE IS A NICHE OF CRITICALLY ILL CHILDREN THAT WILL BENEFIT FROM ECMO, AND IT IS VITAL TO APPROPRIATELY SELECT CANDIDATES TO AVOID OR OVERCOME COMPLICATIONS AND ETHICAL DILEMMAS. THIS ACTIVITY OUTLINES THE USE OF ECMO IN CHILDREN AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN TREATING PATIENTS WHO UNDERGO ECMO.