title: Early extracorporeal life support experiences in 2 tertiary pediatric intensive care units in Turkey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a unique life-support modality offered to patients unresponsive to optimal medical therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate early experiences with ECMO support in 2 tertiary Turkish pediatric intensive care units (PICUs).
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively evaluated a total of 10 ECMO-supported patients between March 2012 and March 2013 in Marmara and Ege University Hospital PICUs. We reported data regarding demographics, laboratory and diagnostic information, and the clinical course of the patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study consisted of 6 males and 4 females from 5 months to 14 years of age (mean age: 0.5 ± 5.01 years) supported with ECMO. Out of the 10 patients, 8 were on venovenous ECMO for respiratory failure and 2 received venoarterial ECMO for cardiac failure. Mean ECMO and intensive care duration was 11.1 ± 7.3 days and 23.5 ± 17.8 days, respectively. Bleeding was the most common complication (60%). Forty percent of the patients were weaned from ECMO, among which 50% were discharged in good health without sequelae.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Initial experiences build the learning curve of institutions, and our early results are encouraging. Giving time to heal to the right patient at the right time is the key to success.
authors.forename: Makbule Nilüfer
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Öztürk
authors.forename: Koray
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ak
authors.forename: Nilgün
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Erkek
authors.forename: Edanur
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yeşıl
authors.forename: Muhterem
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Duyu
authors.forename: Pınar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yazici
authors.forename: Ayşen Yaprak
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Engın
authors.forename: Bülent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Karapinar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015199:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D008297:Male; D010370:Pediatric Assistants; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000628:therapy*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies