What is ECMO?

What is ECMO?

• A. Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
• B. A life-support system replacing heart and/or lung function
• C. A bridge to transplant
• D. Life-support system used when lungs cannot oxygenate and/or remove CO2 and/or heart cannot pump adequately

Answer: (B)

ECMO is a form of extracorporeal life support that takes over the work of the heart and/or lungs by circulating blood outside the body through an artificial oxygenator and pump. This external circuit oxygenates the blood and removes carbon dioxide, effectively replacing the function of the lungs, and in some configurations also supporting the heart. It’s used when the lungs cannot oxygenate blood adequately and/or cannot remove CO2, and when the heart cannot pump effectively. While ECMO can serve as a bridge to recovery or to transplant in certain cases, the defining idea is that it provides temporary, external replacement of heart and/or lung function.

ECMO is a form of extracorporeal life support that takes over the work of the heart and/or lungs by circulating blood outside the body through an artificial oxygenator and pump. This external circuit oxygenates the blood and removes carbon dioxide, effectively replacing the function of the lungs, and in some configurations also supporting the heart. It’s used when the lungs cannot oxygenate blood adequately and/or cannot remove CO2, and when the heart cannot pump effectively. While ECMO can serve as a bridge to recovery or to transplant in certain cases, the defining idea is that it provides temporary, external replacement of heart and/or lung function.