Pediatrics

Pediatric ECMO

Neonatal and Pediatric ECMO Program
When a child's lungs or heart are facing a serious challenge, and standard treatments aren't enough, Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) can provide crucial, life-saving support. At Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital, our state-of-the-art ECMO program acts as an artificial heart and/or lung, giving your child's organs the rest needed to recover.

What Is ECMO?
Pediatric ECMO provides respiratory and cardiac support when a child's own lungs and/or heart cannot deliver oxygenated blood to their body. We use this advanced therapy for infants, children, and adolescents experiencing severe heart or lung failure when conventional treatments are not working.

The process involves gently drawing blood from the child's body through a small tube placed in a vein. This blood then flows into the ECMO machine, where it receives oxygen and has carbon dioxide removed. The newly oxygenated blood is then carefully returned to the child's body through another tube placed in an artery or vein. This temporary support allows the child's heart and/or lungs to rest and heal, while ensuring their other organs receive the oxygen and blood flow they need to recover. ECMO can be initiated at the bedside in our specialized intensive care units when needed urgently.

Types of Pediatric ECMO
We use two main types of ECMO to best suit your child's specific needs:

  • Veno-Venous ECMO (VV ECMO): This type of ECMO is used when a child's heart is functioning adequately, but their lungs need support. Blood is drawn from and returned to veins, allowing the ECMO machine to take over the gas exchange function of the lungs.
  • Veno-Arterial ECMO (VA ECMO): This type of ECMO provides support for both the heart and the lungs. Blood is drawn from a vein and returned to an artery, assisting with both oxygenation and circulation throughout the body.

Conditions We Support
The dedicated specialists at Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital use ECMO to support children facing a wide range of critical conditions, including:

  • Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH): A birth defect affecting lung development
  • Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS): Breathing problems in newborns caused by inhaling meconium.
  • Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN): A condition where a newborn's blood circulation doesn't adapt normally after birth.
  • Severe Pneumonia and Bronchiolitis: Critical lung infections.
  • Sepsis with Respiratory and/or Cardiac Failure: A severe infection leading to organ dysfunction.
  • Congenital Heart Defects: Providing support before or after complex heart surgeries or in cases of severe heart failure.
  • Myocarditis: Inflammation of the heart muscle.

Our Specialized Pediatric ECMO Team
Caring for a child on ECMO requires a highly skilled and compassionate team of experts. At Mount Sinai, our pediatric ECMO program is comprised of specially trained professionals, including:

  • Neonatologists and Pediatric Critical Care Physicians: Experts in managing critically ill neonates and children.
  • Pediatric General and Cardiac Surgeons: Specializing in ECMO and ECMO-related surgical procedures in neonates and children.
  • Neonatal and Pediatric Critical Care Nurse: Nurses with advanced training in caring for critically ill children on ECMO.
  • Pediatric Cardiologists: Specialists in children's heart conditions.
  • Pediatric Respiratory Therapists: Experts in managing breathing and respiratory support.
  • Pediatric Physical and Occupational Therapists: Helping with rehabilitation and recovery.
  • Social Workers: Providing emotional and practical support to families.
  • Child Life Specialists: Supporting children and families through the emotional challenges of illness and hospitalization.

Our dedicated team works collaboratively to provide the highest level of care for your child.

Referring Patients
If your child has a condition that requires ECMO support, our team can evaluate the situation and, when appropriate, arrange for delivery or transfer to Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital. Our pediatric ECMO specialists are available 24/7 for consultations and urgent transfers.

Our Commitment to Excellence
The Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital was designated as a Silver Level Center on the Path to Excellence in Life Support by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization in January of 2025. This award recognizes Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital's extracorporeal membrane oxygen (ECMO) life support program for its alignment with the organization’s guidelines. The award also identifies centers that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to evidence-based processes and quality measures, staff training and continuing education, patient satisfaction, and ongoing clinical care.

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