Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO): A Promising Option for Treating Adult Down Syndrome Patients?

Down syndrome (DS) remains the most common chromosomal disorder with the incidence of 1 in 700 babies in the United States. Down's syndrome increases the risk of respiratory and congenital heart defects and therefore, increasing the need for extra life support.1 Without surgery, congenital heart disease is a major source of morbidity and premature death. The life expectancy of individuals with Down's syndrome without any congenital heart defects is 60-70 years of age.2 However, patients with congenital heart defects have five times higher risk of death as compared to people without any congenital defects.
Source: The American Journal of Cardiology - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Letter to Editor Source Type: research