Journal of Critical Care
Volume 21, Issue 2 , Pages 151-155, June 2006

The Bartlett et al extracorporeal membrane oxygenation case series from 1977, with expert commentary provided by Dr P. Pearl O'Rourke

  • R. Scott Watson, MD, MPH

      Affiliations

    • The CRISMA Laboratory (Clinical Research, Investigation, and Systems Modeling of Acute illness), and Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261. Tel.: +1 412 692 5164; fax: +1 412 647 3791.
    • ,
  • P. Pearl O'Rourke, MD

      Affiliations

    • Human Research Affairs, Partners HealthCare System, Inc, Boston, MA 02114, USA
    • ,
  • Robert H. Bartlett, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA

Abstract 

In this Classic Papers feature, we highlight Dr. Robert H. Bartlett's ground-breaking case series from 1977 reporting 28 pediatric and adult patients supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Dr. P. Peal O'Rourke, who conducted early, innovative clinical research on ECMO, provides her perspective on the state of critical care for children in the late 1970s, how this paper and Dr. Bartlett himself influenced it, and difficulties faced in developing ECMO programs in the 1980s. Dr. Bartlett offers answers to questions about how his work on ECMO began, the reaction of the critical care community to the use of ECMO, and how challenges in studying ECMO in clinical trials have been approached.

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

 Bartlett RH, Gazzaniga AB, Fong SW, Jefferies MR, Roohk HV, Haiduc N. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenator support for cardiopulmonary failure. Experience in 28 cases. Thorac Cardiovas Surg 1977;73(3):375-86.

PII: S0883-9441(06)00031-1

doi:10.1016/j.jcrc.2006.03.001

Journal of Critical Care
Volume 21, Issue 2 , Pages 151-155, June 2006

Article Tools