The Impact and Statistical Analysis of a Multifaceted Anticoagulation Strategy in Children Supported on ECMO: Performance and Pitfalls.

Background: We sought to determine whether the introduction of a new anticoagulation protocol improved the frequency with which target anticoagulation parameters were met in children supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Additionally, we sought to correlate the results of various tests of anticoagulation with the heparin infusion dose (HID) for patients on ECMO and to evaluate the utility of these anticoagulation monitoring tests for the titration of the HID.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of 18 patients who received ECMO at an academic tertiary care children's hospital.