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Published on: December 5, 2025
Concepts from paediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for adult intensivists
Warwick Butt1,2,3, Graeme MacLaren4,5,6
1Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Rd, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
Insights
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) use is rising in adults, mirroring its established role in pediatrics. This review explores pediatric ECMO concepts applicable to adult critical care, enhancing treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Adult Cardiac Surgery
Background:
- Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been a standard in neonatal and pediatric intensive care for over 25 years.
- Recent years have seen a significant rise in adult ECMO use for severe respiratory and cardiac failure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To bridge the knowledge gap between pediatric and adult ECMO practices.
- To identify and evaluate pediatric-derived ECMO concepts for adult patient application.
Main Methods:
- Review of established ECMO concepts and clinical management strategies from pediatric medicine.
- Analysis of the applicability and potential benefits of these concepts in adult critical care settings.
Main Results:
- Identified nine key ECMO concepts well-established in pediatric care.
- Discussed the potential translation and adaptation of these concepts for adult ECMO therapy.
Conclusions:
- Cross-disciplinary learning in ECMO can significantly advance adult patient care.
- Pediatric ECMO experience offers valuable insights for optimizing adult respiratory and cardiac support.
Abstract:
Over the last 5 years, there has been a dramatic increase in the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in adult patients with severe respiratory or cardiac failure. This contrasts to the use of the technology in neonatal and paediatric intensive care units, where it has been regarded as a standard of care for a number of conditions for over 25 years. Many innovations in ECMO circuitry or clinical management evolve first in one particular discipline and it may be helpful for individual clinicians to keep abreast of developments in ECMO across the entire age range, from neonatology to older adults. This review addresses nine concepts in ECMO that are better studied or established in paediatric medicine and considers their application in adult patients.
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