Use of ECMO without the oxygenator to provide ventricular support after Norwood Stage I procedures

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been found effective in supp orting infants with severe cardiac dysfunction following open heart surgery . Centers using this mode of support can also, in instances of single ventr icle morphology, consider the option of eliminating the oxygenator from the standard ECMO set-up and thereby provide roller pump ventricular assist. I n these cases, the infant's own lungs can provide excellent oxygenation sim ply by leaving the aortopulmonary shunt open. Since ventricular support ens ures maintenance of normal cardiac output, manipulation of pulmonary versus systemic flows is not necessary. This configuration retains the safety fea tures of the ECMO system and is easily staffed by the ECMO support personne l. There may be several benefits to employing this type of management (C) 2 001 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.