Abstract

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is a variation of cardiopulmonary bypass that temporarily supports tissue oxygenation in patients with life threatening respiratory or cardiac failure. As the ECLS technique becomes safer and simpler following technology advances, and as complications and survival have improved, indication of ECLS has widened. In 2009, a multicentre randomized controlled trial of conventional ventilator support versus extracorporeal life support for severe adult respiratory failure in 180 patients was published (the conventional ventilation or ECMO for severe adult respiratory failure (CESAR) trial). Of patients allocated to ECMO support, 63% survived for six months without disability compared to 47% allocated to conventional ventilation care. This represented the first positive randomized clinical trial on adult ECMO application in acute respiratory distress syndrome patients. In this review, we report on the common terminologies used with ECMO, the practical running mode of ECMO, indications of ECMO application in intensive care unit settings and results of recent clinical trials. In addition, management during ECMO support and common complications of ECMO is outlined. Finally, evolving technologies involved with the progress of ECMO are summarized.

• Keywords: adult respiratory distress syndrome;extracorporeal membrane oxygenation;intensive care unit;