Early extracorporeal life support experiences in 2 tertiary pediatric intensive care units in Turkey

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a unique life-support modality offered to patients unresponsive to optimal medical therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate early experiences with ECMO support in 2 tertiary Turkish pediatric intensive care units (PICUs).

We retrospectively evaluated a total of 10 ECMO-supported patients between March 2012 and March 2013 in Marmara and Ege University Hospital PICUs. We reported data regarding demographics, laboratory and diagnostic information, and the clinical course of the patients.

The study consisted of 6 males and 4 females from 5 months to 14 years of age (mean age: 0.5 ± 5.01 years) supported with ECMO. Out of the 10 patients, 8 were on venovenous ECMO for respiratory failure and 2 received venoarterial ECMO for cardiac failure. Mean ECMO and intensive care duration was 11.1 ± 7.3 days and 23.5 ± 17.8 days, respectively. Bleeding was the most common complication (60%). Forty percent of the patients were weaned from ECMO, among which 50% were discharged in good health without sequelae.

Initial experiences build the learning curve of institutions, and our early results are encouraging. Giving time to heal to the right patient at the right time is the key to success.