Developmental long-term follow-up of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation survivors: A review

Reviews outcome literature on survivors of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), who have experienced severe cardiorespiratory disease with potential central nervous system sequelae. Long-term follow-up has been reported on approximately 350 survivors representing less than 5% of cases. Several consistent findings are noted from a review of the literature: (a) Most infant developmental scales are more accurate predictors short-term outcome when integrated with neurological exams or neuroimaging findings; (b) most ECMO survivors (70% to 80%) fall in the normal range on development and intelligence measures; (c) 20% to 30% of ECMO survivors have poor outcomes, with 50% to 100% of these usually having associated chronic lung disease and/or brain disease/injury; and (d) 20% to 80% of those with normal outcomes and 10% to 35% of those with normal outcomes qualify for special services. Patterns of neurological and assessment outcome are discussed in terms of location of brain injury and neuropsychological theory.