Emergency medicine clinics of North America
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The utilization of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in trauma mirrors wider trends toward increased utilization of ECMO throughout various forms of critical illness. ECMO can safely be performed on trauma patients with or without anticoagulation. ⋯ A sound understanding of the ECMO circuit components can help troubleshoot system malfunctions. Emerging technologies may combine extracorporeal circulatory support with endovascular hemorrhage control to prolong the viable survival of exsanguinating patients.