ECMO(Extra Corporial Membrane Oxygeneration).When do need it?how does it work on our body?

What is ECMO?

ECMO Stands for Extra Corporial Membrane Oxygeneration.

A life support machine that replaces the function of the heart and lungs. These patients are the sickest of all patients in any critical care unit and will invariably have a prolonged course and rehabilitation

When do need it?

when the heart cannot pump blood and the lungs cannot provide enough oxygen or take out the carbon dioxide

How does it work on our body?

It pumps blood from the patient's body to an artificial lung which adds oxygen to it and further removes carbon dioxide and it further pumps the blood back to the patients body just like the heart does which is done via a centrifugal pump.

Is the patient awake on an ECMO?

Generally no. Patients that undergo ECMO are typically connected to a ventilator through a breathing tube down their mouth or nose and have received pain medications and sedatives. When sedates and do not feel the tubes going into their veins and arteries. And when his or her condition improve they will not need it any longer as their heart and lungs start to function normally again.

Is there an Awake ECMO?

Yes. But very rare only in specialised centres and through careful patient selection. Awake ECMO is ECMO without mechanical ventilation in spontaneously breathing patients. They are maintained awake during ECMO run. It is usually used for patient with acute repiratory distress.

How long does a patient need to be on an ECMO?

It varies based on the depth of the injury and the seriousness of the patients condition. ECMO does NOT care the disease. It is only a support mechanism when the patient undergoes the treatment/recovery phase.