ECMO turned off, cannulas removed

Riley was taken off the ECMO machine around 10:25 am, and is currently stable. The cannulas are out. They cannot leave them in his neck for too long of a period without functioning because clotting becomes a concern. We've been told that the next 24 to 48 to 72 hours are critical for him to show that he can adapt to the flow of the Fontan. He remains on the pacemaker which is keeping his heart rate at 124 bpm, and they will continue to monitor his blood pressure, liver function, urine out-take, blood gases, etc., as signs to whether he is "turning a corner." Doctors say that the success rate is about 50/50 at this point. If he starts to trend downwards, they will schedule the Fontan take-down. He will not be put back on the ECMO, except as a means to stabilize him while they schedule surgery.

Thanks again to our blood donors. Riley received one unit during surgery. But since then, he has received at least three transfusions, as well as several batches of platelets.