Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for cardiac and pulmonary indications: Improving patient safety

Abstract

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used for patients with the most severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or for cardiopulmonary assist due to cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest, or low cardiac output after cardiac surgery. Most centers use modified cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) devices without automated control or safety concepts (Fig. 1), although there is no continuous observation by a perfusionist on the intensive care unit (ICU). Fig. 1. Example of an ECMO system. © 2009 Springer-Verlag New York.