How does the changing profile of infants who are referred for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation affect their overall respiratory outcome?

Objective: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation has been shown to be effective in term neonates with severe but reversible lung disease within the context of randomized, controlled trials. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation now has been open to a wider population of infants in the United Kingdom, and other treatments have become available. The population referred for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, therefore, has changed.

A comparison of radiographic signs of pulmonary inflammation during ECMO between silicon and poly-methyl pentene oxygenators.

Introduction: The inflammatory response caused by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is clearly visible within the first 24 h of cannulation. The inflammatory process affects all areas of the lung, even areas previously spared by the primary disease.

Objective: To compare the change in the radiographic signs of inflammatory response to ECMO between poly-methyl pentene and silicon oxygenators.

CESAR: conventional ventilatory support vs extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for severe adult respiratory failure.

Background: An estimated 350 adults develop severe, but potentially reversible respiratory failure in the UK annually. Current management uses intermittent positive pressure ventilation, but barotrauma, volutrauma and oxygen toxicity can prevent lung recovery. An alternative treatment, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, uses cardio-pulmonary bypass technology to temporarily provide gas exchange, allowing ventilator settings to be reduced.

A potential propensity for failure secondary to clot embolism in neonatal ECMO.

Objective: To report a single case of oxygenator failure caused by clot embolism originating from the bladder; and to discuss some preventative options.

Case Report: A 2.5 kg neonate with a diagnosis of influenza A received veno-arterial (V-A) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for cardiorespiratory support.

Performance of polymethyl pentene oxygenators for neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: a comparison with silicone membrane oxygenators.

Objective: To review the performance of polymethyl pentene versus silicone oxygenators in terms of efficiency in priming and oxygenation, oxygenator resistance, requirements for coagulation proteins and consumption of blood products, for neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) patients.

Study Design: Forty consecutive neonates were selected retrospectively pre- and post-introduction of the new polymethyl pentene (PMP) oxygenators. They formed two equal groups.

Poly-methyl pentene oxygenators have improved gas exchange capability and reduced transfusion requirements in adult extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

The performance of poly-methyl pentene (PMP) oxygenators (Medos Hilite 7000LT) was compared with that of silicone membrane (SM) oxygenators (Medtronic 1-4500-2A) for adult extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Forty consecutive patients were selected retrospectively pre- and post-introduction of PMP oxygenators. They were selected according to the dates they received ECMO and were separated into two equal groups with similar backgrounds.

A pilot investigation of mild hypothermia in neonates receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

Objective: To investigate the safety and feasibility of using mild hypothermia in neonates receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Study design A prospective, nonrandomized pilot study of 25 neonates referred for ECMO. Whole body cooling was achieved by adjustment of the temperature of the extracorporeal circuit water bath.

Extracorporeal life support in pertussis.

Severe B. pertussis infection in infants is characterized by severe respiratory failure, pulmonary hypertension, leukocytosis, and death. This retrospective case analysis highlights the course and outcome of severe B.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for chickenpox pneumonia: a single institution's experience.

The experience of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) use for severe chickenpox pneumonia was reviewed. Case notes of all patients treated with ECMO for this disease between 1992 and 1997 were reviewed. Of 405 patients referred for ECMO during this period, the diagnosis was chickenpox pneumonia in 14 (3.

Early experience with a polymethyl pentene oxygenator for adult extracorporeal life support.

Silicone oxygenators are the standard devices used for Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS), but they have some limitations. Microporous polypropylene hollow fiber oxygenators overcome many of these problems but, unfortunately, develop plasma leak. Polymethyl-pentene (PMP) is a novel oxygenator material.

An in vitro method for comparing biocompatibility of materials for extracorporeal circulation.

Unlabelled: We measured the response of fresh heparinized human blood to recirculation through circuits made of LVA (Portex Industries, Hythe, Kent, UK), SRT (Rehau UK, Langley, Slough, UK) and Tygon S-65-HL (Norton Performance Plastics, Corby, Northants, UK), as control. Circuit construction: 1/2 in. tubing, heat exchanger (Dideco D-720P), Stockert roller pump, just underoccluded, Cincinnati Sub Zero heater, circuit volume of 500 ml.