Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Overview: life support technique, cardiac support, respiratory support

Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) - What it is

Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), also known as extracorporeal life support (ECLS) or a modified heart-lung machine, is a temporary life support technique to keep patients alive when their heart and/or lungs stop functioning. It can be used to provide cardiac and respiratory support for up to a few weeks, during which the patient recovers.

If recovery does not occur, the patient can receive a longer-term mechanical assist device or undergo heart transplantation. Patients on ECMO support are given an anticoagulant, to prevent blood clotting in the external system.