Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Introduction[edit | edit source]
In 2022, it is estimated that nearly 200,000 patients received Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO).[1] ECMO is a technique that oxygenates the blood outside the body. It’s typically used when conventional ventilation is unable to oxygenate the blood adequately (3).
It is important to understand that ECMO is a supportive therapy, not a disease-modifying treatment (2). Similar to a ventilator or a dialysis machine, ECMO doesn't cure the underlying disease but takes over a vital function (oxygenation or blood circulation) when the body's organs are unable to do so adequately.
ECMO is a highly specialised technique that requires the input of intensive care specialists, cardiothoracic surgeons as well as ECMO-trained nurses and perfusion scientists (3).
- ↑ ECLS ELSOEA. ELSO International Summary of Statistics | ECMO | ECLS [Internet]. Copyright (C) 2023 by Extracorporeal Life Support Organization - ECMO and ECLS. Available from: https://www.elso.org/registry/internationalsummaryandreports/internationalsummary.aspx