Use of flexible bronchoscopy in pediatric patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support.

Introduction: Critically ill children treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support frequently have respiratory complications amenable to evaluation by flexible bronchoscopy (FB). The safety and efficacy of FB in this setting has not been well described in children.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of 153 FBs in 79 children treated with ECMO at a single institution from 2000 to 2008.