Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO): What We Need to Know
Hussein Rabah, Ali Rabah
Abstract
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a form of circulatory support used in patients with refractory cardiac and/or respiratory failure. The main role of such support is to allow the lungs and heart to rest and heal while providing adequate oxygenation to vital organs. During extracorporeal support, the venous blood removed is decarboxylated, oxygenated, warmed, and infused back into the circulation. Physicians and nursing staff should be familiar with ECMO in order to provide the best care for critically ill patients. The aim of this paper is to review the technical aspects, indications, contraindications, complications, and management of both veno-venous (VV) and veno-arterial (VA) ECMO.
Topics & Concepts
MedicineExtracorporeal membrane oxygenationCritically illIntensive care medicineCIRCULATORY FAILUREBlood oxygenationExtracorporeal circulationRefractory (planetary science)ExtracorporealRespiratory failureOxygenationCirculatory systemAnesthesiaSurgeryCardiologyFunctional magnetic resonance imagingAstrobiologyPhysicsRadiologyMechanical Circulatory Support DevicesCardiac Arrest and ResuscitationCardiac Structural Anomalies and Repair