Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Transport by EC-145 With a Custom-Built Sled

Area of Science:

• Pediatric critical care medicine
• Cardiovascular surgery
• Transport medicine

Background:

• Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) indications have expanded in pediatrics beyond neonatal respiratory failure.
• ECMO provides vital support for severe refractory cardiopulmonary failure and is increasingly used as a bridge to transplant for irreversible organ failure.
• Nationwide Children's Hospital facilitates ECMO transport for transplant evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the design of a custom sled for transporting pediatric ECMO patients.
• To detail the use of this sled in an EC-145 helicopter for inter-facility transport.
• To report the first successful transport of a pediatric ECMO patient in an EC-145 helicopter.

Main Methods:

• Design and fabrication of a unique, custom-built sled for pediatric ECMO transport.
• Integration of the sled with an EC-145 helicopter for air medical transport.
• Implementation of transport protocols for critically ill pediatric ECMO patients.

Main Results:

• Successful design and implementation of a custom transport sled for pediatric ECMO patients.
• Demonstration of safe and effective patient transport utilizing an EC-145 helicopter.
• First reported case of pediatric ECMO patient transport via EC-145 helicopter.

Conclusions:

• The custom-designed sled enables safe and efficient transport of pediatric ECMO patients.
• Air medical transport using EC-145 helicopters is feasible for critically ill pediatric ECMO patients.
• This innovation expands capabilities for critical pediatric care and transplant referral centers.