What it treats

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is used when a patient has severe respiratory or cardiac failure. It provides support when the patient’s heart or lungs are unable to sustain life.

ECMO is used for a short period, typically days to weeks, until the patient recovers or receives more treatment.

It was initially used to treat children with organ failure, and has evolved into a life-saving therapy for adults as well. ECMO can now be used in patients of all ages.

How it works

ECMO works by restoring blood flow to the body.

An ECMO system has two main parts: an artificial blood pump and an artificial lung. The machine is connected to the patient by inserting two tubes into the patient’s arteries through the neck, chest or groin. One tube takes blood to the pump, and the other takes blood back to the body.

The pump moves blood across the artificial lung, where gasses do the work of breathing. This allows blood flow carrying oxygen to be delivered to the person’s body and organs.

Risks

ECMO can be a life-saving treatment, but there are still risks to consider. The patient’s healthcare team can work to minimize these risks.

Possible risks of ECMO include:

• Bleeding. This is the main risk of ECMO, therefore patients must receive regular screenings for bleeding.
• Blood clots and air bubbles. These can form inside the tubes. The patient’s healthcare team can prevent complications by checking the tubes frequently.
• Infection. The insertion of the tubes could allow germs to enter the body, creating the potential for infection. If infection occurs, antibiotics can be used to treat it in most cases.
• Stroke. If a patient on ECMO experiences blood clots, this could prevent certain parts of the brain from getting enough blood flow, which could lead to a stroke. However, strokes happen in less than 5% of patients on ECMO.

A seasoned team of experts who’ve led their field

Find out more

For details on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) at UR Medicine Cardiac Care, contact us at (585) 275-4775.