[Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). A treatment alternative for newborn infants with severe respiratory disorder]

Abstract

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is a promising alternative for newborns with critical respiratory disease, where conservative management is no longer sufficient. - Indications for ECMO include mainly the diagnoses Persisting Pulmonary Hypertension (PPHN), Meconium-Aspiration and Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. In patients with a mortality-prognosis of 80-100% ECMO will raise survival rates to about 80% with a good general developmental prognosis. Conditions, trainee programs, and experiences up to the first clinical application of ECMO are reported.