Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is when a specially trained medical
team uses a machine to do the work that the heart and lungs normally do.
Why Is ECMO Done?
When the heart or lungs stop working, ECMO
(EK-moe) can do their job for days, weeks, or even longer.
Often, that's long enough for:
the medical team to fix the problem, such as with heart surgery
the heart or lungs to heal from a problem, such as asthma
or meconium aspiration
organs or body systems that didn't develop properly while the baby was in the
womb, causing the heart or lungs to fail, such as congenital diaphragmatic hernia
or congenital heart disease
infections that cause the organs to shut down, such as sepsis
What Does an ECMO Machine Do?
The ECMO machine, using a pump that works like the heart, pumps blood from the
body through an artificial lung. Like a normal lung, it adds oxygen to the blood and
removes carbon dioxide. Then the machine sends the blood back to the child.
The machine is run by an ECMO specialist, who can be:
a
a nurse or respiratory therapist with special training in ECMO
How Is ECMO Done?
There are two kinds of ECMO:
Veno-venous (VV) ECMO: This is used when the heart is working
but the lungs need time to rest and heal. It takes blood from a large vein, adds oxygen,
removes carbon dioxide, and returns the blood to a vein.
Veno-arterial (VA) ECMO: This is used when both the heart and
the lungs need to rest and heal. It takes blood from a large vein and returns it to
an artery. The heart continues to beat and pump blood, but doesn't have to work as
hard as it did before ECMO started.
Usually during ECMO, medicines keep the child asleep and still. A breathing machine
(ventilator) moves air in and out of the lungs to keep them healthy. Sometimes, ECMO
can be used while the child breathes on his or her own without a breathing machine.
What Happens Before ECMO?
If a care team thinks ECMO might help your child, they will assess all health problems.
The team includes specialists in:
The ECMO doctor or surgeon will talk to you about the risks and likely benefits
of ECMO. If you choose ECMO, you will sign a parental consent
(permission) form.
Starting ECMO takes several steps. The treatment team:
puts medicine into the IV so your child will sleep, have no pain, and won't move
inserts a breathing tube and attaches it to a ventilator (if your child isn't
already using a ventilator)
gives your child medicines to keep the blood from clotting
places cannulas (long, thin tubes) through an artery and/or vein and guides the
tips to the heart
uses ultrasound scans
or X-rays to
be sure that the tubes are in the right place
starts ECMO
What Is ECMO Transport?
A mobile ECMO team can safely move (transport) a child who needs ECMO from one
hospital to another hospital. ECMO transport is used when:
a child is in a hospital that doesn't offer ECMO
a child must be moved to another hospital for an organ transplant or other care
When a child is in a hospital that doesn't have ECMO, the mobile ECMO team will:
go to the hospital to assess the child
start ECMO on the child, if needed
continue ECMO while moving the child to the other hospital
Sometimes, members of the mobile ECMO team may visit the child or use a mobile
device to assess the child remotely before sending the full team with ECMO equipment.
The ECMO team will decide if ECMO transport and treatment at the other hospital are
likely to help the child.
Can I Stay With My Child During ECMO?
You can stay with your child at least some of the time during ECMO. It helps your
child to hear your voice and feel your touch.
How long you can stay depends on how well your child is doing and what kind of
medical care is needed. The team will let you know when you can stay and when to step
out so they can do tests or treatments to help your child.
How Long Does ECMO Take?
A child may be on ECMO from a day to over a month or more. It all depends on the
child's health problem.
What Happens After ECMO?
The care team will do several tests to be sure ECMO is no longer needed, then turn
off the machine and remove the tubing. Your child will be eased off the ventilator
as he or she adjusts to breathing without ECMO. This may take days or weeks.
Your child might need heart medicines until the heart is fully recovered. The care
team will continue to carefully watch your child and give pain medicines to keep him
or her comfortable.
What Problems Can Happen From ECMO?
ECMO has significant risks. So doctors use it only when they've tried all other
treatments and believe that ECMO will help.
Risks include:
bleeding
bubbles or clots in the blood that may block blood vessels
infection
problems with the machine
ECMO also can have some side effects, like swelling (edema), which is especially
common during the first few days. The swelling usually goes away by the time ECMO
is finished.
How Can Parents Help After ECMO?
Children need extra support as they recover after ECMO. Some kids may have lung
problems if ECMO did the work of the lungs. Others might have some trouble walking
or talking, or have a hard time with their schoolwork.
Ask the ECMO team and your child's pediatrician about ways you can help.