Artificial organs
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Drowning and near-drowning is often associated with severe hypothermia requiring active core rewarming. We performed rewarming by cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB). Between 1987 and 2007, 13 children (9 boys and 4 girls) with accidental hypothermia were rewarmed by extracorporeal circulation (ECC) in our institution. ⋯ In conclusion,drowning and near-drowning with severe hypothermia remains a challenging emergency. Rewarming by ECC provides efficient rewarming and full circulatory support. Although nearly half of the children may survive after rewarming by ECC, long-term outcome is limited by pulmonary and neurological complications.