Objectives: We sought to analyze the indications and outcome of extracorporeal membrane
oxygenation (ECMO) for early primary graft failure and determine its impact on long-term
graft function and rejection risk. Background: Early post-operative graft failure requiring
ECMO can complicate heart transplantation. Methods: A retrospective review of all children
requiring ECMO in the early period after transplantation from 1990 to 2007 was undertaken.
Results: Twenty-eight (9%) of 310 children who underwent transplantation for …

In this issue of the Journal, Tissot et al.(1) from the Children's Hospital of Denver have
presented the outcome of patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
(ECMO) for early primary graft failure after pediatric heart transplantation. Nine percent of
their patient population undergoing transplantation required post-operative ECMO support.
Survival in this group was 54%. The long-term graft function of the patients supported with
ECMO was similar to the overall transplant population.