Can the outcome of pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation after cardiac surgery be predicted?

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess whether clinical and biochemical variables may be used to predict outcome in children treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) after cardiac surgery and to determine when to discontinue ECMO support.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 26 children treated with ECMO after cardiac surgery at our institution from October 2000 to May 2004.

Results: Patients mean age was 16.