Largest Pediatric ECMO Repository in the United States Celebrates 10 Years of Research
Largest Pediatric ECMO Repository in the United States Celebrates 10 Years of Research https://pediatricsnationwide.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/AdobeStock_117504933-Adjusted-More-1024x537.jpg 1024 537 Abbie Miller Abbie Miller https://pediatricsnationwide.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/051023BT016-Abbie-Crop.jpg- February 03, 2025
- Abbie Miller

The ECMO Repository at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is the first and larges of its kind in children’s hospitals in the United States.
In December 2014, The Heart Center and Center for Cardiovascular Research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital launched an initiative to prospectively collect biologic samples from pediatric patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) – a lifesaving procedure for severe respiratory or cardiac failure. Cardiothoracic critical care expert Andrew Yates, MD, conceptualized and led the effort.
This repository is the first and largest of its kind in children’s hospitals across the United States.
“We are proud to highlight this invaluable resource directed by Dr. Yates, which is dedicated to exploring biomarkers related to cardiovascular dysfunction in this complex patient population, as well as advance our understanding of the pathophysiological changes in neonates, infants and children undergoing ECMO,” says Vidu Garg, MD, director of the Center for Cardiovascular Research and co-director of The Heart Center.
In 2020, the registry reached the critical mass of samples to support research. Two papers have been published to date, with one in submission and three more projects ongoing.
“Since 2020, it has evolved into irreplaceable and pediatric research, advancing our understanding of ECMO’s impact on the pediatric population in: cardiac function, neurological outcomes, renal outcomes, infection, nutrition and digestive health and systemic inflammation,” says Dr. Yates.
Publications:
- Bi J, Garg V, Yates AR. Galectin-3 and sST2 as prognosticators for heart failure requiring extracorporeal life support: Jack n’ Jill. Biomolecules. 2021 Jan 27;11(2):166.
- Harris RE, Yates AR, Nandi D, Krawczeski CD, Klamer B, Martinez GV, Andrade GM, Beckman BF, Bi J, Zepeda-Orozco D. Urinary biomarkers associated with acute kidney injury in pediatric mechanical circulatory support patients. Pediatric Nephrology. 2024 Feb;39(2):569-577.
Image credit: Adobe Stock
About the author
Abbie (Roth) Miller, MWC, is a passionate communicator of science. As the manager, medical and science content, at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, she shares stories about innovative research and discovery with audiences ranging from parents to preeminent researchers and leaders. Before coming to Nationwide Children’s, Abbie used her communication skills to engage audiences with a wide variety of science topics. She is a Medical Writer Certified®, credentialed by the American Medical Writers Association.
- Abbie Millerhttps://pediatricsnationwide.org/author/abbie-miller/
- Abbie Millerhttps://pediatricsnationwide.org/author/abbie-miller/
- Abbie Millerhttps://pediatricsnationwide.org/author/abbie-miller/
- Abbie Millerhttps://pediatricsnationwide.org/author/abbie-miller/
- Posted In:
- Clinical Updates
- In Brief
- Research