ECMO

extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) or extracorporeal life support (ECLS), is used to support patients with insufficient gas exchange in the lungs.

It works by removing the carbon dioxide and oxygenating red blood cells. Generally, it is used either post-cardiopulmonary bypass or in late stage treatment of a person with profound heart and/or lung failure, although it is now seeing use as a treatment for cardiac arrest in certain centers, allowing treatment of the underlying cause of arrest while circulation and oxygenation are supported.