Mechanical Circulatory Support: Ecmo May 2026

The machine removes carbon dioxide and adds oxygen to the blood.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is a form of temporary mechanical circulatory support that acts as an external heart and lung system for patients with life-threatening cardiac or respiratory failure. Unlike standard ventilators or heart-lung bypass machines used in surgery, ECMO is designed for extended use—ranging from days to weeks—to allow the patient's organs time to rest and potentially recover. How ECMO Functions Mechanical Circulatory Support: ECMO

The ECMO system operates by pumping blood out of the patient's body, processing it through an artificial membrane, and returning it to the circulation. The machine removes carbon dioxide and adds oxygen