Challenges in non-neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

This review will address the different challenges for the use of non-neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). It will discuss the available evidence for the use of pediatric ECMO in respiratory and circulatory failure, focusing on indications and contra-indications and choice of ECMO mode. Furthermore we will try to define optimal treatment goals, identify primary outcome parameters and calculate the expected need for non-neonatal ECMO per 1.000.000 inhabitants.