[Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Initial experience at an ECMO center. 1]

The authors describe their initial experience, organization, and problems associated with the development of an EMCO centre. Its main activities are those of a neonatal ECMO centre (to a smaller extent paediatric ECMO and ECCO2R-LF PPV of adults) during the first 4 months of its existence. During the period the ECMO centre was contacted in 10 instances. The referring department indicated the ECMO centre correctly in six instances. However, at least in two instances too late and the patients died (during priming of the ECMO circuit or transport could not be implemented because of the critical condition). In two instances, however, the ECMO staff failed as it was unable to ensure a minimum of seven days of safe operation of ECMO and therefore ECMO was not provided. Based on this experience the authors present an organizational model of the ECMO unit which is formed ad hoc when needed and comprises specialists of various professions from the sphere of emergency medicine. The main purpose of the present paper is to inform referring departments on the indications, selection criteria, contraindications of ECMO in neonates and children and to ensure thus not only smooth communication between the ECMO centre and the referring department but in the first place early referral to the ECMO centre at a time when transport is not yet a problem.