Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in infants with meconium aspiration syndrome: a decade of experience with venovenous ECMO.

Background: Despite the emergence of new therapies for respiratory failure of the newborn with meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has a significant role as a rescue modality in these infants. Our objective was to compare the use of venovenous (VV) vs venoarterial (VA) ECMO in newborns with MAS who need ECMO and to ascertain the impact of new therapies in these infants during the last decade. We also evaluated how disease severity or time of ECMO initiation affected mortality and morbidity.

Venovenous versus venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has a significant role as a final rescue modality in severe respiratory failure of the newborn with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). The objective of this study was to compare the efficiency of venovenous (VV) versus venoarterial (VA) ECMO in newborns with CDH.

Methods: A retrospective report of 11 years experience (1990 through 2001) of a single center, comparing VV and VA ECMO is given.