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Updated: May 10, 2026
03:40
Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Peripheral Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Without Left Ventricular Venting
Published on: January 17, 2025
Setup and maintenance of extracorporeal life support programs
Anne-Marie Guerguerian1, Mark T Ogino, Heidi J Dalton
1Departments of Critical Care Medicine and Paediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. anne-marie.guerguerian@sickkids.ca
Summary
Establishing a successful extracorporeal life support program needs dedicated teams and resources. This guide outlines key steps for developing a sustainable extracorporeal membrane oxygenation program using international guidelines.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Respiratory Therapy
Background:
- Extracorporeal life support (ECL) programs require significant investment in personnel, infrastructure, and institutional support.
- Developing a new ECL program presents complex challenges requiring careful planning and adherence to established standards.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive guide for establishing a sustainable extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) program.
- To outline the essential components and steps for program development based on international best practices.
Main Methods:
- Review of Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) guidelines.
- International perspective on program development requirements.
- Identification of key elements: expert team, institutional commitment, resources, and dedicated space.
Main Results:
- Successful ECMO program development hinges on a motivated, interprofessional team.
- Institutional commitment is crucial for resource allocation, including dedicated time and space.
- Adherence to international guidelines ensures a robust and sustainable program framework.
Conclusions:
- Developing a sustainable ECMO program requires a multifaceted approach, integrating expert personnel, strong institutional backing, and adherence to global standards.
- This guidance facilitates the creation of high-quality ECMO services, improving patient outcomes.
- The framework presented supports the long-term viability and success of extracorporeal life support initiatives.
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