Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is an advanced technology that provides support to a patient whose heart and lungs are not able to provide adequate gas exchange to sustain life. Patients who require ECMO are critically ill. These patients may be recovering from a heart attack, heart failure, lung failure or heart surgery.

ECMO is similar to a heart-lung bypass machine used during open-heart surgery. It requires the insertion of catheters into the large blood vessels of the neck or groin. It is a treatment that uses a pump to circulate blood through an artificial lung and the blood is then delivered to the body using an external mechanical pump. This machine acts as a form of life support by maintaining blood flow to the body’s vital organs and allowing the heart and lungs to rest.

ECMO is a temporary device and patients can be supported for days to weeks. This treatment is used only in the Intensive Care Unit. ECMO is placed by a specially trained team, including a cardiac surgeon, cardiologist and perfusionist.