Abstract
Purpose: The aims of this study were to analyse the current state of paediatric patient intra-hospital transport receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). With this analysis and considering our transport system, the problem of transport can become clear. Subjects and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who were transported while receiving ECMO at our hospital between March 2010 and August 2013. Results: Subjects comprised 11 patients who underwent 17 transports [median age: 7 months and 28 days (range: 11 days - 7 years and 8 months); median body weight: 4.8 kg (range: 2.6 - 22 kg)]. All transports were completed. Regarding serious complication of transport, 1 ECMO flow drop was observed. About this transport, patient was treated with prepared equipment, and then ECMO flow was recovered. Except this case, serious complications such as thrombotic events or hemorrhagic one were not observed. Body temperature was significantly decreased before and after transport. Discussion: Complication of ECMO flow drop was happened because patient was bleeding and patient's vital signs weren't stable despite blood transfusion before transport. We removed warm water tank system from ECMO because of its heaviness. This was the cause of decreased body temperature. Conclusions: The results suggested that systemisation including equipment (such as introduction of portable warm tank system) is necessary for ECMO transport.
