Abstract
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, a form of artificial circulatory support, continues to evolve beyond its well-established neonatal applications. It is often the most aggressive aspect of treatment algorithms in the management of severe respiratory and cardiac failure. While its use is relatively infrequent and executed in a small number of centers, it remains an important supportive measure while organ function is preserved and restored. Refinements in equipment and techniques continue to develop; patient-selection has changed, in adults and children, and cardiac applications have gained prominence.
Footnotes
- Correspondence: Peter Betit RRT-NPS FAARC, Department of Respiratory Care, Children's Hospital Boston, MA-861, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston MA 02115. E-mail: peter.betit{at}childrens.harvard.edu.
Mr Betit presented a version of this paper at the symposium Current and Evolving Concepts in Critical Care, at the 54th International Respiratory Congress of the American Association for Respiratory Care, held December 13-16, 2008, in Anaheim, California. The symposium was made possible by an unrestricted educational grant from Ikaria.
- Copyright © 2009 by Daedalus Enterprises Inc.
