ECMO - Hardware and physiology

Description

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used with increasing frequency to treat severe cardiac or respiratory failure as it can provide respiratory only or combined circulatory and respiratory support. Despite efforts aimed at increasing its diffusion however, ECMO is currently reserved, usually as last resort, in very severe cases, which are managed almost exclusively in the intensive care unit (ICU). Recent improvements in both technology and patients' management is leading to constant improvement in patients' outcome, especially in centers with a high caseload volume and after ensuring careful patients' selection. This presentation deals with hardware and technology involved in functioning of ECMO