title: A review of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the UK.
abstract: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is needed for a small number of sick infants, children and adults who fail to respond to maximum ventilator therapy and pharmacological support. As the technology continues to develop, indications for early treatment with ECMO increase and the prognosis improves. Admission to a specialist unit is required during therapy, but essential intensive care needs remain as they would for any critically ill child. Attentive communication with, and support for, families are more important than ever. The publication of this article was delayed until after the announcement of the NHS Safe and Sustainable review of children's cardiac surgical services in the UK.
authors.affiliation: De Montfort University, Leicester. dcraw@dmu.ac.uk
authors.forename: Doreen
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Crawford
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Harvey
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D015199:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; D006801:Humans; D013222:State Medicine; D006113:United Kingdom