Key result
Cardiohelp-based inter-hospital ECMO transport provides reliable support with low complication rates for pediatric and neonatal patients.
Why the study?
Many infants and children requiring ECMO initially present to hospitals unable to initiate or maintain extracorporeal support, making transport a critical care challenge.
Cardiohelp-based transports, when supported by structured training and standardized protocols, provide reliable support and seamless continuity of care for pediatric and neonatal ECMO transport.
Supports safe neonatal ECMO transport with Cardiohelp; leaves open need for larger trials on outcomes and scalability.
Background: Pediatric and neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) transport is among the most complex operations in critical care. Many infants and children who require ECMO initially present to hospitals without the capability to initiate or maintain extracorporeal support. As an ECMO referral center, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) provides comprehensive inter–hospital transport for patients cannulated at outside institutions. CHOP utilizes the Cardiohelp system for all inter-hospital transports. After an affiliated hospital initiates ECMO, a specialized CHOP transport team is deployed by ground or air. Cardiohelp 5.0 or 7.0 devices are selected based on patient size and flow requirements, using either clear priming with Plasmalyte/25% albumin or blood priming according to patient weight and hematologic status. Clinical Course/Activity: Transfer Workflow Discussion: The Cardiohelp has demonstrated to be safe and effective for inter–hospital transport due to its compact size, durability, and fully integrated monitoring capabilities. Its lightweight design and battery–powered operation allow for stable cardiopulmonary support during air or ground transport, even in challenging environments. Conclusion: Inter–hospital ECMO transport is a complex process requiring precise coordination and a highly skilled multidisciplinary team. When supported by structured training and standardized protocols, Cardiohelp–based transports provide reliable support with low complication rates and ensure seamless continuity of care from bedside to receiving facility.
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Malick et al. (2026) studied Pediatric and neonatal patients requiring ECMO. Cardiohelp system for inter-hospital ECMO transport was evaluated. Cardiohelp-based inter-hospital ECMO transport provided reliable cardiopulmonary support with low complication rates for pediatric and neonatal patients.
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