Journal of intensive care medicine
-
J Intensive Care Med · Jan 2011
ReviewA review of the fundamental principles and evidence base in the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in critically ill adult patients.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) comprises a commonly used method of extracorporeal life support. It has proven efficacy and is an accepted modality of care for isolated respiratory or cardiopulmonary failure in neonatal and pediatric populations. ⋯ As such, all intensivists should be familiar with the evidence-base and principles of ECMO in adult population. The purpose of this article is to review the evidence and to describe the fundamental steps in initiating, adjusting, troubleshooting, and terminating ECMO so as to familiarize the intensivist with this modality.