[Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). II. The development of an experimental model in newborn lambs].

OBJECTIVE

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a technique used for cardiorespiratory support in the treatment of newborns with severe respiratory insufficiency. ECMO has not been used yet in newborns in Spain. The aim of this work was to develop an experimental veno-arterial ECMO model in newborn lambs for training the NICU medical and nursing staff before the clinical application of this technique.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Six newborn lambs were anesthetized, traqueotomized and connected to a neonatal ventilator. The right jugular vein and left carotid artery were cannulated and the catheters were located in the right atrium and aortic arch, respectively. A venous-arterial ECMO was performed during three hours, with an experimental ECMO circuit developed by us. Arterial pH and blood gases, systemic and airway pressures, heart rate, and rectal temperature were monitored.

RESULTS

The experimental ECMO circuit developed by use had a very low cost, but was capable of maintaining adequate gas exchange, acid-base balance and a normal rectal temperature.

CONCLUSIONS

The development of an experimental ECMO model in newborn lambs may allow the establishment of an initial training program and to maintain the expertise of the NICU staff of a perinatal center planning to start an ECMO program.