Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for neonatal respiratory failure. 
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been a successful treatment (82% survival) in over 5000 neonates with severe respiratory failure (80% predicted mortality without ECMO).  ECMO is prolonged extracorporeal cardiopulmonary bypass achieved by extrathoracic vascular cannulation using a modified heart-lung machine.  ECMO is currently the treatment of choice for full-term newborns with severe respiratory failure.  The report summarizes indications, resulting complications, and future applications of neonatal ECMO.