Improving accessibility to lung transplantation for children through air transport

Introduction There are a limited number of pediatric lung transplant programs in the United States; therefore, geographical barriers limit critically ill children who may be good candidates for lung transplantation. Materials and Methods With advancements in technology, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is becoming an option to bridge children requiring advanced life support to lung transplantation and offers the opportunity to transport critically ill children to pediatric lung transplant centers. Results Air transport services with rotor-wing and fixed-wing aircraft were successfully developed and quickly became as a vital component of our pediatric lung transplant program offering ECMO for both transport and as a bridge to lung transplantation to children throughout the United States. Conclusion Air transport services can be an important component of pediatric lung transplant programs to offer this advanced treatment to children.