Referral and transportation for neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
Data from 32 patients who were transported for neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) over a 66-month period were reviewed. One ground ambulance transport had to be postponed because of poor weather conditions; the patient died. One patient was excluded for ECMO on arrival at the ECMO centre. Of the remaining 30 infants, 20 (67%) required ECMO treatment, of which four (20%) died. All 10 (33%) patients who were treated with conventional therapy survived. During transportation all children remained stable in terms of oxygenation. Early referral and transportation by an experienced and well-equipped transport team allows safe transport of these critically ill neonates.
Bergman
K A
KA
Department of Neonatology, Beatrix Children's Hospital, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
Geven
W B
WB
Molendijk
A
A
D017732:Air Ambulances; D000552:Ambulances; D015199:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D014187:Transportation of Patients / Q000379:methods*