Indications, follow-up, complications and results of ecmo patients between 2014-2023 in Ankara University Faculty of Medicine PICU Unit comparison of two five-year periods

Introduction and Purpose: Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is a treatment method that provides life-sustaining gas exchange and hemodynamic support. Venous blood is taken from the patient through a venous cannula and sent back to patient via cannula after blood is göne through with membrane that provides gas exchange. In our study, we aimed to evaluate indications, follow-up, complications and results of ECMO in Ankara University Faculty of Medicine Pediatric Intensive Care Unit over a 10-year period with comparing the first and second 5-year periods. Methods: ECMO patients' data in our PICU between January 2014 and July 2023 were retrospectively gathered and compared. Results: A total of 120 patients over 110 months were included in the study. ECMO was implemented in 69 patients in the first half and 51 patients in the second half. 35 patients (50.7%) were female and 34 patients (49.3%) were boys in the first half, whereas, 24 patients (47.1%) were female and 27 (52.9%) were male in the second half. Mean age of the patients was 84±80.6 months. In the first half, 15 patients (21.7%) had cardiomyopathy, 6 (8.6%) myocarditis, 12 (17.4%) ECPR, 9 (13%) failure to seperate from CBP after cardiac surgery, 7 (10.1%) low cardiac output syndrome after cardiac surgery, 5 (7.2%) refractory septic shock, 9 (13%) ARDS, and 7 (9.8%) other indications.In the second half, 11 patients (21.6%) had cardiomyopathy, 1 (3.9%) had myocarditis, 15 (29.4%) had ECPR, 10 (19.6%) failure to seperate from CBP, 3 (5.9%) low cardiac output syndrome, 3 (5.9%) refractory septic shock, and 8 (15.7%) ARDS. The average duration of ECMO was 11.13± 11.80 (1-56) days. ECMO support was successfully implemented and weaned in 30 patients in the first and 19 patients in the second half. ECMO survival rates are 31.3% in the first half and 27.4% in the second half. Conclusion: ECMO treatment for the underlying cause should be kept in mind for pediatric patients with high risk of death who do not respond to high-level conventional treatments. In ECMO-selected patients, successful results can be achieved by choosing the appropriate method and good complication management at experienced centers