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Current knowledge of the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) method, which is generally used in children, is reviewed in this article. A change in the spectrum of diseases indicated for ECMO therapy in children has been well documented during the past fifteen years. The number of chronically ill children undergoing ECMO is rising, the percentage of co-morbidity-free survivors out of the total ECMO survivor population has increased, survival among chronically ill children has decreased whereas the total number of treated children by ECMO has increased. The incidence of the veno-venous ECMO modality has risen compared to the venous-arterial ECMO modality which may lead to a significantly higher survival documented in children treated by veno-venous ECMO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanical circulatory support devices (MCS) constitute an important part of acute and chronic heart failure therapy. The principal objective of the MCS implantation is to restore adequate circulation including optimal oxygen delivery to the tissues with subsequent normalization of tissue functions. The most frequent indications for MCS implantation are bridge-to-heart transplantation, and bridge-to-recovery after various types of myocardial injury (e.g., acute myocardial infarction, myocarditis, extensive cardiac surgical procedures). In the Czech Republic, the most frequently used MCS devices are the intraaortic balloon pump, ventricular assist devices (VAD) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]