Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2025

Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Peripheral Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Without Left Ventricular Venting
Published on: January 17, 2025
Crossing-Borders: Experiences With International Transports on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Special
Carmen Mesas Burgos1,2,3, Björn Frenckner1,2,3, Lars Mikael Broman2,4
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
None:
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a crucial support for patients with severe cardiac or respiratory failure, but its availability is limited, often requiring patient transport to specialized centers. Only a few centers provide mobile ECMO services, and international ECMO transports are rare. This study reviews a department's experience with international ECMO transports from 1998 to 2022. Out of 1,277 ECMO transports, 357 (28%) were international. Most of these (52%) were directed to ECMO Center Karolinska, whereas others involved transfers due to a lack of beds or between foreign centers. The majority (79%) of patients were cannulated at the referring hospital, with 63% supported by venoarterial ECMO. Transport distances averaged 1,200 km, using fixed-wing aircraft 89% of the time. Hospital survival for those transported to Karolinska was 82%, and 36% of transports experienced complications, though no deaths occurred during transport. This study highlights the safety and effectiveness of international ECMO transport with highly trained teams.
Related Concept Videos
Oxygen Delivering System II: Venturi Mask and Transtracheal Oxygen
Venturi Mask
The Venturi mask, named after the Venturi effect, is designed to deliver precise oxygen concentrations. It consists of a large tube with an oxygen inlet that narrows down, causing a pressure drop that pulls air in through adjustable side ports. The mask is a lightweight,...
Administering Oxygen by Mask
Administering oxygen by mask is a common nursing intervention that provides supplemental oxygen to patients with respiratory distress or chronic lung conditions. This procedure involves delivering oxygen at a specified rate through a face mask connected to an oxygen source.
Equipment
The equipment necessary for this procedure includes:
Respiration and Gaseous Exchange
Respiration involves the exchange of gases, especially oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2), between the alveoli and body cells, a process facilitated by blood circulation. As a result, the cardiovascular system, which involves...
Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis
Description
Excess pleural fluid or air may accumulate in some respiratory disorders in the thoracic cavity. To treat pleural effusion, a physician conducts thoracentesis by carefully piercing the chest wall and entering...
Oxygen Delivering System III: Tracheostomy and T-piece
Tracheostomy
A tracheostomy is a surgically created opening (stoma) in the anterior part of the trachea. It is used to establish a patient airway, bypass an upper airway obstruction, simplify the removal of secretions, permit long-term...
Acute Respiratory Failure-IV

