Pediatric Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation Practices and Challenges in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Gulf Cooperation Council Countries

Author(s):

Nada A. AlJassim, Nooralhuda A. AlHadab*, Nabeel Almashraqi and Mohamed Salim Kabbani

Introduction: The Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is a vital rescue therapy for patients experiencing refractory heart or respiratory failure after conventional intervention failure. Establishing a new ECMO program, particularly for neonates and children, has challenges in logistics or operation. Furthermore, maintaining a standardized ECMO program add more complexity.

Methods: A cross sectional survey was distributed to health care professional in Saudi Arabia and the GCC to describe the pediatric ECMO practices and challenges for potential expansion.

Results: A total of 254 responses were collected, 82% from Saudi Arabia. In these, 54% have ECMO service at their centers. Majority are working in Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs), with >300 admissions per year, treating respiratory failure cases. ECMO experience and practice was variable among respondents as well as in ECMO deployment and management. Challenges include shortages in trained personnel, logistics and infrastructure.

Conclusion: Establishing and supporting a new pediatric ECMO program gas challenges. Findings of this survey support the need for enhanced ECMO training and systemic support for successful program development.