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Glossary of Terms

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
A technologically complicated and somewhat risky procedure performed on infants with extremely serious respiratory problems. Basically, one or two large catheters are placed in the blood vessels of the neck and the blood returning to the hearts is aspirated out of the heart and pumped through an artificial lung. The blood is then returned to the baby's body. Although there are significant risks with this therapy is successful about 80% of the time depending on the lung problem.

See ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation)
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Date Last Modified: 08/07/2009 12:17