male patient in hospital bed smiling with family

ECMO at Ascension Sacred Heart

Doctors and care teams at Ascension Sacred Heart deliver ECMO therapy for adults with life-threatening heart and lung conditions.
TRANSFER A PATIENT

The ECMO program and experienced care teams at Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola deliver advanced care for patients who have life-threatening lung and heart conditions, including severe heart and respiratory failure, and who are critically ill. Your doctor may recommend extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy for you or a loved one when other therapies are not working. ECMO allows the lungs and heart to rest while they’re recovering from illness or injury. ECMO may also be used for patients waiting for a heart or lung transplant. This therapy maintains blood flow and oxygen to vital organs, such as the brain, kidneys and liver.

Care teams specializing in ECMO

At Ascension Sacred Heart, our ECMO-trained specialists deliver advanced care for complex heart and lung conditions. Our ECMO care teams include cardiovascular surgeons, intensive care doctors, intensive care nurses, respiratory therapists, hospitalists, perfusionists, and more, caring for:

  • Acute respiratory distress syndrome
  • Bacterial pneumonia or viral infection
  • Heart attack
  • Heart and lung failure
  • Post cardiotomy and cardiogenic shock
  • Pulmonary hypertension
  • Ruptured lung
  • Traumatic lung and heart injuries

Frequently asked questions

  • How does ECMO work?

    A surgeon places one or more plastic tubes, called cannula, into large veins in your chest, neck or groin. The ECMO pump circulates your blood through the machine's artificial lung, or oxygenator. Carbon dioxide is removed from the blood and oxygen is added. As oxygenated blood leaves the oxygenator, it is warmed before returning to your body.

  • What happens while on ECMO?

    A member of your care team is with you 24/7 to monitor your machine and provide care. Your doctor uses blood tests, X-rays and other tests to make sure you are responding well to your treatment.

  • Can you be awake on ECMO?

    Yes. Depending on your health, your care team may choose to keep you awake while on ECMO support. This allows you to participate in occupational and physical therapy to help build your strength and speed your recovery. Your care team will keep you awake only in some cases.


Transfer your patient to an ECMO specialist

Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital provides ECMO support for adults across Northwest Florida. If you have a patient who might benefit from ECMO, our transfer center and ICU team provide consultation by phone and help arrange transport of your patient to the appropriate level of care.

Early consultation with an ECMO specialist can help you know when to refer your patient to an ECMO program. A transfer may be recommended for patients who have received appropriate medical management and meet one or more of the following:

  • SBP < 90mmHg or vasopressor support to maintain SBP > 90mmHg
  • Evidence of end-organ damage (UO < 30ml/hr or cool extremities)
  • Hemodynamic criteria: CI < 2.2 and PCWP > 15mmHg
  • PaO2:FiO2 < 80mmHg for > 6 hours
  • PaO2:FiO2 < 50mmHg for > 3 hours
  • pH < 7.25 with PaCO2 ≥ 60mmHg for > 6 hours

For more information or to start a transfer, please call 1-866-512-2244.

Featured locations

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Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola

5153 North 9th Ave
Pensacola, FL 32504
850-416-7000