ECMO stands for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and is similar to a heart-lung bypass system. It pumps blood from the patient, through a membrane oxygenator, and back to the patient. The membrane oxygenator imitates the lungs by removing carbon dioxide and adding oxygen.

The ECMO program at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics began in 1994 and has grown to include approximately 25 nurses and respiratory therapists trained to manage the ECMO system. Our program provides support to adult, pediatric, and neonatal patient populations at the bedside for as little as a few hours, up to a few weeks.

In general, ECMO is indicated for patients with acute, reversible cardiac and/or respiratory failure when conventional medical and pharmacologic interventions have been exhausted. Patients are carefully considered for ECMO and must meet certain criteria as it has many inherent risks. The goals of ECMO include providing adequate tissue oxygenation and perfusion, pulmonary and/or cardiac rest and ultimately, survival.

Patients who would benefit from ECMO include, but are not limited to:

• Meconium aspiration syndrome
• Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
• Congenital cardiac anomalies
• Bridge to lung or heart transplant or other assist device
• RDS (respiratory distress syndrome – adult, pediatric, or neonatal)

Shanna Seigel, RRT, CHT
ECMO Program Coordinator
shanna-seigel@uiowa.edu
Office Phone: 319-384-9707
Cell/Pager 319-471-1559

Elizabeth A. Moore, RN, BSN
Assistant Program Coordinator
elizabeth-a-moore@uiowa.edu
Office Phone: 319-384-9068
Pager #5516

M. Teresa Julich, RN, BSN, CCRN
Assistant Program Coordinator
m-julich@uiowa.edu
Office Phone 319-384-9068
Pager #5526

William Lynch, MS, MD
ECMO Program Director
william-lynch@uiowa.edu
Office Phone 319-353-6451

An ECMO specialist can always be reached on pager #5104.

UI Hospitals and Clinics
200 Hawkins Drive
Iowa City, IA 52242

In the interest of your health, UI Hospitals and Clinics buildings and campus are non-smoking environments.