Life-saving technique to support newborns and children with cardiac or respiratory dysfunction.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is a procedure using an artificial heart and lung to deliver oxygen to the body. This advanced technology replaces the function of vital organs in critically ill newborn babies and children of all ages. ECMO is a life-saving technique that provides support for newborns and children who have reversible cardiac or respiratory dysfunction.

ECMO provides 24/7 support for neonatal and pediatric patients with a variety of medical conditions, including:

  • Asthma
  • Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
  • Congenital heart disease
  • Meconium aspiration
  • Myocarditis and cardiomyopathies
  • Persistent pulmonary hypertension
  • Respiratory diseases such as pneumonia and H1N1

Connecticut Children’s is dedicated to providing the highest level of care for our critically ill neonatal and pediatric patients in our two neonatal intensive care units and the pediatric intensive care unit.

By utilizing the most advanced technology to provide state-of-the-art extracorporeal life support, our critical care physicians lead a multidisciplinary team of intensivists, surgeons, neonatologists, cardiologists, perfusionists, nurses, and respiratory therapists.

Our nine critical care physicians, five surgeons and a coordinator have had extensive ECMO training at the nation’s top ECMO centers.
 

ECMO Referrals

Connecticut Children’s will accept the referral and transfer of any child needing extracorporeal life support. Our experienced ECMO team is available 24/7 to work with referring physicians and hospitals to provide the best care possible for critically ill children of all ages.

To transfer a neonatal patient, please call 860.545.9720.

For a pediatric transfer, please call 860.545.9850.