Developing an Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Programme for New Zealand: Emergency Department Perspectives

Abstract

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is a promising adjunct to routine advanced cardiac life support. Growing worldwide interest in ECPR use has seen more tertiary centres offering ECPR programs. New Zealand’s nationwide extracorporeal cardiopulmonary membranous oxygenation service is provided at Auckland City Hospital (ACH). Despite the potential benefits of ECPR, it is currently only offered on an ad hoc basis. It remains unknown whether ACH would manage enough patients to warrant an ECPR program.