Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation with hollow fiber lung -clinical experiences with pumpless arteriovenous method

Abstract

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation with microporous polypropylene hollow fiber lung and pumpless arteriovenous method was used in two patients, for 20 hours in a neonate with congenital heart defect and 11 days in a 31 years old female with interstitial pneumonitis and suspect of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Umbilcal and femoral vessels were used respectively. Partial support by a pump was required in the neonate patient. Both patients showed improvements in blood gas data and clinical condition, but did not survive mainly from irreversible lung.