The ECMO program at Inova L.J. Murphy Children’s Hospital
supports the complex needs of newborns and children with severe heart or lung failure.
What is ECMO?
ECMO stands for "extracorporeal membrane oxygenation." "Extracorporeal" means outside of the body. "Membrane," in this case, is an artificial lung. "Oxygenation" is the process of delivering oxygen. Putting it all together, ECMO provides oxygen to the body through an artificial lung machine that is outside of the body.
ECMO is a form of advanced life support for critically ill patients who need more support than standard treatments, such as medications or a ventilator (breathing machine), can provide. ECMO is a modified heart-lung bypass that performs the work of the heart and/or lungs, giving the patient time to recover.
ECMO is not a cure. ECMO can support the patient for days to weeks, giving the medical team time to treat the cause of the heart or lung failure, giving the patient time to receive a more long-term form of support, including possibly a transplant, or allowing time for the family and team to make decisions about their child’s care.
Alfie's Story: A Newborn's ECMO Journey to Recovery
How does ECMO work?
Plastic tubes, called cannulas, are placed into large veins and arteries that lead into and out of the heart. Depending on where the cannulas are placed, they can support the heart and lungs or the lungs alone. The cannulas allow a portion of the child’s blood to be removed and pushed through the ECMO circuit including the membrane (oxygenator), where oxygen is added, and carbon dioxide is removed. The blood is warmed before returning to the child through another cannula.
Why does my child need ECMO?
The ECMO program at Inova L.J. Murphy Children’s Hospital supports children with a variety of illness and conditions including, but not limited to:
- Asthma
- Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
- Congenital heart defects
- Meconium aspiration syndrome
- Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn
- Pneumonia
- Respiratory distress syndrome
- Severe infection/sepsis
- Toxic ingestion
- Trauma
What are the risks of ECMO?
As with any medical therapy, there are possible problems including:
Blood clots
Blood can clot within the ECMO circuit, the cannulas or the child’s body. The clots can possibly cause strokes or the need for an ECMO circuit change. During an ECMO circuit change, support must be stopped. Blood-thinning medications are used to prevent clotting.
Bleeding
The blood-thinning medications used to prevent clots can increase the risk of abnormal bleeding. The medical team monitors the levels and effects of the blood-thinning medications to maintain a balance between preventing clots and preventing bleeding.
Infection
Children are at high risk of developing infections while on ECMO. If a child does acquire an infection, Inova Children's has many years of experience treating such cases.
Weakness
While on ECMO, children receive many medications to keep them comfortable and sometimes paralyzed to allow their body to completely rest. As a result, their muscles can become weak, requiring physical and/or occupational therapy.
Mechanical problems
The ECMO circuit is operated by a machine, and mechanical problems can occur. An ECMO specialist will always be at the bedside to monitor the ECMO circuit for possible mechanical problems.
We are ready to transport patients needing ECMO
Caring for children is special, and transporting infants or children who are critically ill requires special care. Our pediatric ambulances are equipped with leading-edge technology and are staffed with dedicated neonatal and pediatric transport teams.
Referrals for ECMO treatment
Inova L.J. Murphy Children’s Hospital’s transfer center is available 24 hours a day to assist with all admissions, transfers, and transport needs.
- To refer, admit, or transfer a patient to our Cardiac ICU, please call 703-776-8301
- For patient transfers, you can reach our Patient Transfer line at 703-776-8000
- For inquiries specific to the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, please contact 703-776-8301
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