title: The effect of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation on the survival of neonates with high-risk congenital diaphragmatic hernia: 45 cases from a single institution.
abstract: At The Children's Hospital, Boston (TCH), in the 3 years before extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was available, infants with high-risk congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) had a 47% survival rate. In February 1984, ECMO was introduced and offered to all high-risk CDH infants with a 100% predicted mortality. Since February 1984, 45 infants with high-risk CDH presented to TCH. Twenty-six (58%) were supported with ECMO; 19 (42%) never met the criteria for 100% predicted mortality and were supported with conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV). Overall survival was 49%. Nine (35%) of the 26 ECMO patients survived. Thirteen (68%) of the 19 CMV patients survived. Although there was no change in survival, there was a change in the cause of death. Deaths in the ECMO group were either early (n = 8, secondary to a complication of ECMO or lack of pulmonary improvement) or late (n = 9). The late deaths were infants who were successfully weaned from ECMO, never weaned from CMV, and who died secondary to complications of chronic lung disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia (Pediatrics), Children's Hospital and Medical Center, University of Washington, Seattle 98105.
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: O'Rourke
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Lillehei
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Crone
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Vacanti
mesh_terms: D015199:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation / Q000009:adverse effects; D006548:Hernia, Diaphragmatic / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D065630:Hernias, Diaphragmatic, Congenital; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors; D012122:Ventilators, Mechanical