Trouble shooting the extracorporeal membrane oxygenator circuit and patient

Patients requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) often become totally dependent on the mechanical life support. The Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) reports 2486 incidents of mechanical complications in 5905 ECMO supports. To help decrease the number of mechanical complications, an active quality assurance program was initiated at our institution. This resulted in identification of only 14 incidents of mechanical complications in 100 patients (neonate, pediatric, adult, and cardiac). Techniques for dealing with problems such as loss of roller pump occlusion, changing out of the membrane lung or heat exchanger without interrupting ECMO support, venous air lock, tamponade, emergency transfusion, and other situations were generated into written policies and procedures. We routinely review and practice problem solving techniques with specific emphasis on monitoring patient hemodynamics and appearance. We conclude that written policies and procedures, "water drills," and continuing education can be beneficial in early recognition, intervention, and/or prevention of ECMO mechanical complications.