Children’s expertise helps teen recover from crash
In February, after being unconscious for more than six weeks, 16-year-old Alan Moos woke up in a hospital bed at Children's – Minneapolis. "The first thing I remember saying was, 'What am I doing here?'" Alan recalled. Little did Alan know the more appropriate question might have been "How fortunate am I to be here?"
Read Alan's Remarkable ECMO Story
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
ECMO services are provided for both neonatal and pediatric patients with severe respiratory and/or cardiac insufficiency that is unresponsive to mechanical ventilation and medical therapy. Staff are available 24 hours a day for professional consultation, patient transport, or provision of ECMO. Available only at Children’s - Minneapolis.
The most common diagnoses leading to a need for ECMO are:
- congenital diaphragmatic hernia
- sepsis
- pneumonia
- meconium aspiration
- ARDS
- postcardiotomy
- myocarditis
Techniques include:
- veno-venous ECMO
- veno-arterial ECMO
- temporary ventricular assist devices
Recommendations: when to transfer to an ECMO center
All criteria for transfer assume an effort to stabilize with appropriate use of mechanical ventilation and inotropic therapy. These are not criteria for ECMO (see separate document); they are an attempt to identify patients with a high likelihood of benefiting from ECMO, at a point where transfer is reasonably safe.
View Transfer Recommendations (PDF)
Criteria for neonatal ECMO
All criteria assume optimal support of respiratory and/or cardiovascular failure including mechanical ventilation, trial of nitric oxide, volume expansion, and appropriate inotropic support. We recommend not exceeding a PIP of 35 (30 for diaphragmatic hernia patients) on conventional ventilation, an HFOV AMPlitude of 40 (35 for CDH patients), or a MAP of 20 (15 for CDH patients), prior to qualifying for ECMO. A transient improvement should not cancel plans for ECMO.
View neonatal ECMO criteria (PDF)
View neonatal ECMO exclusions (PDF)
Criteria for pediatric and young adult ECMO
These criteria and exclusions apply to patients 4 weeks to 25 years of age, with an acute reversible disease process and evidence of either cardiovascular failure and/or respiratory failure. Consultation with an ECMO consultant is recommended.
View pediatric and young adult ECMO criteria and exclsuions (PDF)
For Health Professionals
Neonatal Referral (NICU)
(612) 813-6295
Pediatric Referral (PICU)
(612) 813-6266
For Families
Families who have questions may call (612) 813-6433
