Extracorporeal Life Support

The Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS) program is a full-service program for patients ranging from infants to young adults. It has a proven record in successfully managing the care of infants and children in multi-system failure.
 
ECLS uses advanced and invasive life support equipment when conventional medical therapy has failed to stabilize the patient. The ECLS equipment is similar to the heart and lung machine used by perfusionists in the Cardiac Operating Room. However, this equipment is portable, modular, rated for long-term use, and is less complicated to operate. These differences make it possible to use the equipment safely in an Intensive Care Unit setting. Despite potential complications, the expected survival rates for post-operative patients who need this level of support is generally around 50 per cent.
 
A multidisciplinary team including intensivists, neonatologists, anesthetists, perfusionists, nurses, and respiratory therapists provide the extracorporeal life support. The team is supported by the Cardiac Sciences, Transfusion Medicine, Pathology and Radiology staff who contribute to this demanding endeavour. The team’s commitment has allowed the program to excel in patient outcomes, research, innovation, and education. Ongoing quality assurance measures indicate that outcomes are on par or exceed those of most other international cardiac centres that provide these services.