When a child's heart or lungs cannot function due to an acute illness or trauma, sophisticated heart and lung machines called extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) systems can be used to bypass the child's own heart and lungs. ECMO takes over the body's function by pumping blood from the heart, oxygenating it in an artificial lung machine and returning the oxygenated blood to the child's body.

Conditions that might call for ECMO include:

• Pneumonia


• Acute asthma


• Acute respiratory failure


• Post-cardiac surgery


• Inhaled object or substance


• Near drowning


• Trauma

By taking over vital functions of the body, ECMO gives the patient's heart and lungs a chance to heal before resuming their natural functions.

Sutter Memorial is one of the few hospitals in the Sacramento area equipped with the sophisticated equipment. Care is provided by a team of highly trained pediatric intensivists, intensive care nurses and technicians who monitor the child around the clock.

Our pediatric critical care specialists are:

Lehman Black, III, M.D.
Daniel Falco, M.D.
Thomas Paulson, M.D.
Azad Sheikh, M.D.
David Smith, M.D.

For more information about children's health, please visit the Children's Health section of our health information.


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