Abstract
Survival of neonatal and pediatric patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) ≥ 21 days has not been well described. We hypothesized that patients would have poor survival and increased long-term complications. Retrospective, single center, review and case analysis. Tertiary-care university children's hospital including neonatal, pediatric and cardiac intensive care units. After institutional review board approval, the charts of all patients < 18 years of age undergoing ecmo for ≥ 21 continuous days were performed, and they were compared to comparative patients undergoing shorter runs. overall survival, incidence of complications, and post-discharge recovery were recorded. overall survival was 36% in patients undergoing ≥ 21 days of ecmo (n =" 14)." 5 8 patients with cardiopulmonary failure from acquired etiologies survived versus 0 6 patients with congenital anomalies. 1 5 survivors achieved complete recovery with no neurologic deficits. the remaining survivors suffer from multiple medical and neurodevelopmental morbidities. ecmo support for ≥ 21 days is associated with poor survival, particularly in neonates with congenital anomalies. long-term outcomes for survivors ought to be carefully weighed and discussed with parents given the high incidence of neurologic morbidities in this population.>
