RENAL INSUFFICIENCY AND VOLUME OVERLOAD IN NEONATAL ECMO MANAGED BY CONTINUOUS ULTRAFILTRATION.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides cardiopulmonary support for neonates suffering from acute respiratory failure. Secondary organ system failure on ECMO, such as acute renal failure, is rare, occurring in 3 to 5% of cases, but the survival rate is decreased to about 60%. Fluid or volume overload with ECMO, however, is very common. This paper presents a review of experience with acute renal insufficiency and volume overload in neonatal ECMO, emphasizing the indications for ultrafiltration, the method employed, the results, and the precautions taken to avoid potential complications associated with ultrafiltration.