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Pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life support system for critically ill children who have life-threatening heart or lung problems.
Our dedicated team of critical care specialists provide advanced 24/7 care for children who need ECMO. We have deep experience using the therapy, and we’ve supported more than 1,000 children – from newborns to young adults.
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Refer a Patient with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)
ECMO is treatment that pumps blood outside a child’s body through a machine that removes carbon dioxide and returns oxygen-rich-blood to the body. The machine circulates oxygen-rich blood throughout your child’s body when their heart and lungs don’t work well enough.
Like a heart-lung bypass machine used during open-heart surgery, ECMO takes over the function of the heart and lungs. A child can be on ECMO therapy much longer than a bypass machine, for a few days to weeks. During this time, your child stays in our intensive care unit (ICU) and receives care from our dedicated specialist team.
Sometimes, children need transportation that includes ECMO. ECMO transport helps get critically ill children to hospitals that offer the advanced care they need. Children’s Health is one of just five hospitals in Texas to offer this service.
By doing the work of the heart and lungs, ECMO provides time for your child’s body to rest, heal and recover. Your child may need ECMO:
Children may need ECMO for a variety of conditions, including:
ECMO is safe, effective therapy that provides lifesaving breathing and heart support for critically ill children. At Children's Health℠, we use ECMO only for very sick children for whom other treatments have not helped. Like any treatment, ECMO has certain risks, including:
In our ICU, your child receives care from a critical care team with special training and experience in using ECMO with children. We do everything possible to help prevent these complications, providing 24/7 monitoring and close attention to their care.
Children who undergo ECMO at Children’s Health have a 60% to 70% chance of surviving. These numbers have increased over the years as technology, research and training advance. And Children’s Health’s survival rates for ECMO are, on average, 10 to 15% higher than the national benchmark in most categories.
Our patient outcomes exceed international benchmarks set by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO). As a result, ELSO has recognized Children’s Health as a Gold Center of Excellence.
Treatment with ECMO differs for each child depending on the underlying condition or injury that’s causing heart and lung problems. Here’s what you and your family can generally expect with ECMO.
Your child’s care team decides to use ECMO when other treatments are not enough to support your child’s heart and lungs. Our dedicated ECMO team then stabilizes your child for surgery and prepares the equipment.
Your child receives general anesthesia and pain medication before the procedure. Surgeons use thin tubes called catheters to connect your child to the equipment. They insert the catheters into blood vessels in your child’s neck or groin.
The ECMO machine includes three main parts:
Your child may be on ECMO therapy from a few days to several weeks, depending on the type of condition and other treatments they receive. Our ECMO team monitors your child 24/7 and adjusts the equipment as needed. While your child undergoes ECMO, you can visit anytime and sleep overnight in their room.
Children usually remain under anesthesia while on ECMO, but your child may be awake at times. Our Child Life Services team helps keep your child calm and entertained during ECMO. The specialists bring movies, emotional support animals and iPads to help relieve stress and provide a comfortable experience for your child.
As your child’s heart and lungs improve, the care team decreases ECMO support to allow their heart and lungs to take on more function. The team removes the catheters and other equipment when your child’s heart and lungs can function on their own.
Your child remains on a ventilator, after coming off the ECMO equipment, as their health improves. The recovery time for each child is different and may take weeks or months. Your child may need follow-up care and rehabilitation, but children who survive ECMO are able to go back to their regular activities. The care team can explain the details and show you how to care for your child during recovery.
The most important thing you can do is to be with your child as much as possible. Hearing your voice and knowing that you’re there are very helpful in soothing your child, even if they’re asleep.
Your child needs rest during ECMO treatment, but you can:
Ask the care team for other ways you can help your child.
ECMO support is typically not painful, and your child receives pain medication and sedatives while on the therapy. You’ll be able to talk to and touch your child while they’re on ECMO.