Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and indications for cardiopulmonary bypass in the neonate

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a rescue technique used for term and near-term neonates who have respiratory failure that is unresponsive to conventional therapy. The complexity of the equipment necessitates intensive training of a specialized team before setting up an ECMO unit. An understanding of the physiology underlying ECMO and the criteria used for patient selection assists the nurse in identifying neonates who might benefit from the technique.