Abstract
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a modified form of cardiopulmonary bypass, has been used in almost 20,000 patients with cardiorespiratory failure. It provides temporary life support and has a survival rate of 70%. This article will focus on the current state of the art in pediatric ECMO for respiratory failure. Patient selection criteria, modes of ECMO support, patient management techniques, complications, and outcome will be presented. The future of ECMO in relation to current treatment of respiratory failure as well as its use in alternative patient populations will be outlined.