Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: potential for adults and children?

ABSTRACT

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is a proven therapy for severe neonatal respiratory failure. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for older children and adults who are failing to respond to maximal conventional therapy is more controversial, but survival figures of 50-80% can be obtained, in patients with an expected survival of 0-20% with conventional treatment.