ECMO Meaning and
Definition
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ECMO, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, is a medical procedure that provides temporary mechanical support for the heart and/or lungs when a person's respiratory or cardiac function is severely impaired. It is a life-saving technique used primarily in critical care settings where conventional treatments have failed to maintain adequate oxygenation.
During ECMO, blood is diverted from the patient's body through tubing to an external machine called a membrane oxygenator. This machine acts as an artificial lung, oxygenating the blood and removing carbon dioxide. In addition to the oxygenator, the ECMO circuit includes a pump to circulate blood and a heat exchanger to maintain blood temperature. The now oxygen-rich blood is then returned to the patient, bypassing the heart and lungs temporarily.
ECMO is typically indicated for conditions such as severe respiratory failure, where lung function is compromised, or cardiogenic shock, where the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. It is also used during cardiac surgery or lung transplant procedures to provide support while the patient's own organs are temporarily inactive.
Although ECMO can provide critical respiratory or circulatory support, it is not a permanent solution. It is meant to be used as a bridge to recovery or until further intervention, such as a lung transplant or heart surgery, can be performed. ECMO requires specialized equipment and experienced healthcare professionals to ensure proper monitoring and management of the patient's condition.
Common Misspellings for ECMO
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