The availability of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is the standard of care at most high-acuity congenital heart surgery programs. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is also an integral part of managing children with in-hospital cardiac arrest refractory to conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation). In this article, we aim to provide a practical guide to initiate rapid ECMO in a nonoperating room setting.
Keywords: ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation); circulatory assistance; intensive care; shock (circulatory).
© The Author(s) 2016.