Extrakorporale Membranoxygenierung im Kindesalter

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been used successfully in children for more than 50 years and is currently an established form of life-sustaining conservative treatment for refractory cardiac and respiratory failure. Technical developments and increasing experience have significantly improved survival and outcome of neonates and children. The indications for neonatal and pediatric ECMO include congenital diaphragmatic hernia, meconium aspiration syndrome, persistent pulmonary hypertension, heart failure following cardiac surgery, myocarditis as well as acute respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia or sepsis. The purpose of this article is to provide the reader with insights into the treatment of circulatory or pulmonary failure using ECMO and to present the principles of this procedure theoretically and using case studies. In addition, a brief overview of the availability of neonatal and pediatric ECMO in Germany is provided.