Overview of ECMO

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, commonly referred to as ECMO, is a vital machine that plays a significant role in maintaining, restoring, enhancing an individual's overall physical well-being. This life-sustaining procedure is designed to temporarily take over the critical functions of the heart, the lungs, or both, depending on the patient's specific medical needs. ECMO is typically utilized in situations where a patient's heart is unable to pump sufficient blood throughout the body, or when their lungs are incapable of effectively expelling carbon dioxide and providing the essential oxygen required, even when on a ventilator. Given the intricacies involved in this complex device, the ECMO procedure is not straightforward. However, it has proven to provide additional time for the body to recover and heal as the medical team assesses and decides on the most suitable course of action for treatment and recovery.