Inhaled nitric oxide followed by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in resuscitating a newborn with hypoxemia.

In a newborn requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation because of hypoxemia due to sepsis (oxygenation index > 40), inhalation of nitric oxide (NO) in a concentration of 16 p.p.m. improved oxygenation and restored spontaneous circulation. Cannulation for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) then was performed safely under NO inhalation. ECMO was discontinued on day 7, and on day 14 the infant was extubated. During follow-up examination at 5 months of age no neurological abnormalities were found. This case shows the usefulness of combining inhaled NO and ECMO.