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. 2013 Jan;3(1):46-50.
doi: 10.4103/2229-5151.109420.

Interhospital transfer of seriously sick ARDS patients using veno-venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO): Concept of an ECMO transport team

Christoph T Starck  1 , Peter Hasenclever, Volkmar Falk, Markus J Wilhelm
Affiliations

Interhospital transfer of seriously sick ARDS patients using veno-venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO): Concept of an ECMO transport team

Christoph T Starck et al. Int J Crit Illn Inj Sci. 2013 Jan.

Abstract

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy constitutes the last option for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) refractory to conservative treatment. Since primary care centers are unable to provide this therapy, such patients need a transfer to a tertiary care center, which may be life-threatening without extracorporeal support.

Methods: An ECMO transport team implanted an ECMO at the site of the primary care center with subsequent transport of the patient to the tertiary care center. Between September 2009 and March 2011, six patients with ARDS were treated by our ECMO transport team. Mean age was 39.5±12.0 years. All implantations were done percutaneously in a veno-venous configuration.

Results: No complications occurred during the implant procedure and the subsequent transport. Four patients (67%) were successfully weaned from ECMO-therapy, and discharged from hospital.

Conclusion: With a specialized ECMO transport team, ECMO-implantation can be achieved successfully in a peripheral hospital, and patients can be transported safely.

Keywords: Acute respiratory distress syndrome; extracorporeal life support; extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; interhospital transfer.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Scheme of veno-venous Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation setup. The cannulas were placed percutaneously using Seldinger's technique via the right internal jugular vein and the right femoral vein
Figure 2
Figure 2
Optimal positioning of the inflow and outflow cannulae is the key for effective veno-venous Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy. 1=outflow cannula via right internal jugular vein with its tip visible at the beginning of the superior vena cava. 2=tip of the inflow cannula at the junction of inferior vena cava to the right atrium via right femoral vein
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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