Mechanical Circulatory Support
Children’s Hospital
of Pittsburgh’s ECMO Program
|
The Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Program (ECMO) began at
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in 1977 when a young child
with critically low cardiac output needed support following a tetralogy
repair. Since then, the program has grown to be one of the largest
in the country.
Children’s Hospital has the facilities and equipment to provide
support for four simultaneous ECMO cases. The program averages between
30 and 50 ECMO procedures each year. Membrane oxygenation support
is offered to infants, children and young adults with various kinds
of respiratory distress; to patients requiring mechanical support
during resuscitation from cardiac arrest; to infants and children
with cardiac decompensation secondary to viral myocarditis or cardiomyopathy
awaiting transplantation; and to infants with respiratory distress
secondary to a congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
Infants and children on ECMO receive critical care nursing support
and bedside perfusion support during their perfusion phase. Linear
post-ECMO follow-up is also provided. Various clinical trials are
currently under way at the Heart Center to provide improved modalities
within the ECMO support program for better methods of sustaining
circulation during cardiorespiratory decompensation. In addition
to the ECMO program, Children’s has a program in left and right
heart assistance and other forms of mechanical support for failing
circulation.
Referrals to the ECMO Program at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
are usually directed through Children’s critical care physicians
and through the hospital’s various intensive care units. Rapid
medical transportation to the hospital can be provided, and the
referral base for ECMO extends beyond western Pennsylvania to the
New England states, the midwest and the upper southern states.
To make a referral for mechanical cardiopulmonary support for respiratory
failure, please call 412-692-5160. To make a referral for mechanical
circulatory support for cardiovascular failure, please call 412-692-5540.
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Updated 1/23/06
