• Makbule Nilüfer Öztürk, Koray Ak, Nilgün Erkek, Edanur Yeşıl, Muhterem Duyu, Pınar Yazici, Ayşen Yaprak Engın, and Bülent Karapinar.
• Turk J Med Sci. 2014 Jan 1; 44 (5): 769-74.

Background/AimExtracorporeal 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).Materials And MethodsWe 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.ResultsThe 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.ConclusionInitial 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.

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