what is ecmo machine

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a type of artificial life support that can help a person whose lungs and heart aren’t functioning correctly. In ECMO, blood is pumped outside of the body to a heart-lung machine that removes carbon dioxide and sends oxygen-filled blood back to tissues in the body. The machine pumps the blood, provides it with oxygen, and helps the body get rid of carbon dioxide. ECMO continuously pumps blood out of the body and then sends it through devices that add oxygen and remove carbon dioxide, before pumping the blood back into the body. This method allows the blood to "bypass" the heart and lungs, allowing these organs to rest and heal. ECMO is used in critical care situations when the heart and lungs need help so that the patient can heal. ECMO may be used to help people who are very ill with conditions of the heart and lungs, or who are waiting for or recovering from a heart transplant. It may be an option when other life support measures havent worked. ECMO does not treat or cure a disease, but can help when the body temporarily cant provide tissues with enough oxygen. ECMO is a complicated and specialized procedure that requires a special team that can manage the side effects and troubleshoot the machine itself. ECMO is used for patients recovering from heart failure, lung failure, or heart surgery, as a bridge option to further treatment, for support during high-risk procedures in the cardiac catheterization lab, and as a bridge to a heart assist device, such as left ventricular assist device (LVAD) . ECMO is a life-saving tool for people who are critically ill because it can support their lungs and heart, easing the strain on these organs and making it possible for them to heal.