Flexible fibreoptic bronchoscopy is beneficial in children on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support.

Background: Flexible fibreoptic bronchoscopy (FFB) has the potential to enhance diagnostic capabilities and improve pulmonary function in children on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the benefits (clinical, radiological, and microbiological) of FFB and assess associated complications in children on ECMO.

Methods: We conducted a single-centre retrospective observational cohort study in a tertiary paediatric intensive care unit.

Merging Two Hospitals: The Effects on Pediatric Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Outcomes.

In this article, a retrospective study was performed to describe the impact of merging two pediatric intensive care units on the overall and neurocognitive outcomes of children who required extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR). Results from three cohorts were compared: 2008 to 2014: premerge, 2014 to 2017: initial time period postmerge, and 2018 to 2019: established merge. Survival to hospital discharge (and with good neurological outcome) was of 68% (61%), 46% (36%), and 79% (71%), respectively, for the three time periods.

Nosocomial infection prevalence in patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO): protocol for a point prevalence study across Australia and New Zealand.

Introduction: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides cardiac and/or respiratory support when other therapies fail. Nosocomial infection is reported in up to 64% of patients receiving ECMO and increases morbidity and mortality. These patients are at high risk of infection due, in part, to the multiple invasive devices required in their management, the largest being the cannulae through which ECMO is delivered.

A comparison of pump-controlled retrograde trial off to arterio-venous bridging for weaning from venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Objectives: The aim of the study is to compare a technique of pump-controlled retrograde trial off (PCRTO) to insertion of an arterio-venous (AV) bridge to conduct a trial from venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO).

Methods: We studied all patients who were weaned from VA ECMO using either PCRTO or AV bridging from November 2014 to April 2018. Demographic data, indications for ECMO, duration of ECMO, duration of trial period off ECMO and survival were compared between the 2 groups.

Creating a Controlled Arterio-Venous Shunt by Reversing the Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Blood Flow: A Strategy for Weaning Patients Off Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Objectives: To assess whether reversing the veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation blood flow (thereby creating a controlled arterio-venous shunt) can be used to wean children off extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The standard practice for weaning patients off VA extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is to gradually reduce the blood flows delivered through the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation pump to a minimum level followed by either insertion of an "arterio-venous bridge" and clamping of the blood flow to the patient or direct decannulation. "Pump controlled retrograde flow trial off" is a technique where the revolutions in the centrifugal pump are reduced to the point where the patient will drive the blood retrograde through the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuit, effectively turning the circuit into a controlled arterio-venous shunt.