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| As a modified form of heart lung bypass, ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) is a technique which facilitates the support of patients with severe respiratory or cardio-respiratory failure.
Venous blood is drained via a cannula to a circuit containing an artificial lung. The blood is returned to the patient with the aid of a mechanical pump. By taking over heart and/or lung function, these organs are allowed time to rest, preventing the complications of barotrauma (pressure), oxygen toxicity, or the damaging effects of prolonged inotrope (vasoactive drug) use. ECMO is thus suitable for supporting patients with severe but reversible lung or cardiac disease. |
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