Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) refers to a medical technique that provides temporary support to patients with severe cardiac or respiratory failure. This advanced life support system involves the use of a machine that takes over the functions of the heart and lungs by oxygenating the blood and removing carbon dioxide outside of the body.
Applying ECMO typically requires the insertion of cannulas or tubes into large blood vessels. These cannulas are responsible for the transport of the patient's blood to an artificial lung or oxygenator, where it is infused with oxygen and then returned back to the body. The artificial lung also facilitates the removal of carbon dioxide, ensuring proper gas exchange. By bypassing the heart and lungs, ECMO temporarily provides mechanical support, allowing these organs to rest and recover.
ECMO is primarily employed in critical care settings, such as intensive care units and cardiac surgery centers, where other conventional treatments have proven ineffective. It serves as a bridge to recovery or transplantation, supporting patients until their own heart and lungs regain function or until a suitable donor organ becomes available for transplantation.
Although ECMO is a highly beneficial intervention, it is not without risks. Potential complications include bleeding, infection, clotting, and damage to blood cells. Consequently, ECMO usage requires close monitoring and careful management by a specialized multidisciplinary team, consisting of intensive care physicians, perfusionists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
In summary, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is a medical technique that provides temporary mechanical support to patients in respiratory or cardiac failure. It entails the use of a machine that oxygenates and removes carbon dioxide from the blood, bypassing the heart and lungs.
