ECMO in CDH: Is there a role?

Despite its wide use, survival in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) patients treated with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), as reported by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO), remains unchanged at 50%. High survival rates both with and without utilizing ECMO have been reported, fueling questions about the utility of ECMO support in this difficult population. This review looks at data from the Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia study group and individual center reports, to evaluate the role of ECMO in CDH, focusing on defining the patients most likely to benefit, and discussing how those benefits can best be achieved.
Source: Seminars in Pediatric Surgery - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Source Type: research