Conditions We Treat

The UCLA ECMO team dedicates its services to three patient groups: adult, pediatric, and neonatal patients.

UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital has a dedicated neonatal/pediatric transport team that is composed of a RN (Registered Nurse), RT (Respiratory Therapist), two perfusionists and two EMTs. The team is available on call 24/7 and is capable and experienced in ECLS transports by ground and fixed-wing ambulances.

Pediatric patients requiring inpatient rehabilitation are identified by occupational, speech, and physical therapists. These patients are referred to Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital has a developmental pediatric specialist on staff.

For information on Pediatric patients concerning ECLS please visit the Pediatric ECMO/VAD website.

The following types of patients can require ECMO treatment:

• Severe acute lung injury due to aspiration, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or long-term chronic lung disease (pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) who are not responding to the usual breathing treatments (ventilators), medicine and extra oxygen support and can also include:
• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
• H1N1 Influenza A respiratory failure
• Aspiration pneumonia
• Sepsis-related ARDS
• Pneumonia (viral, bacterial, atypical)
• Pancreatitis with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)
• Drowning
• Burns (smoke inhalation)
• Pulmonary embolism
• Rescue therapy for a failed lung transplant or as a bridge to lung transplant
• Refractory cardiac failure – either before or after cardiac surgery
• Cardiogenic shock any cause except sepsis
• Acute myocardial infarction
• Refractory arrhythmia
• Myocarditis
• Post-partum cardiomyopathy
• Pulmonary embolus
• Post-cardiotomy failure
• Acute or chronic heart failure
• Post-transplant organ failure
• Hypothermic arrest
• Bridge to ventricular assist device (VAD) or transplants