Monitoring and complications during neonatal/pediatric ECMO run

摘要

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a commonly used form of mechanical circulatory support in children with congenital or acquired heart disease, and cardiac failure refractory to conventional medical treatments. 1 The cardiac output is partially or completely provided by the ECMO machine. To assess how much support is needed at any given time, a constant balance of oxygen delivery and oxygen consumption is required. Permanent monitoring of flow, hemoglobin, arterial, and mixed venous saturations are key elements to provide the needed understanding and continuous guidance of body requirements, aiming at controlling and maintaining optimal management of the ECMO patient.