NEONATAL EXTRA CORPOREAL MEMBRANE-OXYGENATION (ECMO)

Extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a novel, but invasive, form of life support developed from cardio pulmonary by pass technolog y. The technique has been used successfully in mature infants with sev ere respiratory failure since 1975. Where persistent pulmonary hyperte nsion is a complicating problem the improved oxygenation resulting fro m the use of ECMO has a therapeutic role. Controversy exists, however, with regard to whether ECMO offers any advantage over more convention al life support in terms of improved survival. Descriptive data relati ng to cost and morbidity suggest no disadvantage from the use of ECMO. It is hoped that the current U.K. collaborative trial will clarify wh ether ECMO should be considered standard therapy for severe respirator y failure occurring in mature infants.