Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy has been around since the 1970s and has completely changed how critical physicians view supportive therapy patient's care. ECMO provides cardio-respiratory support when other therapies fail. In ECMO, different arrangements of cannulae shunt blood to circulate through the machine, and hence oxygenated outside the body. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation configurations can be simple like Veno-venous and Arteriovenous venous or complex like hybrid cannulation modes and Venopulmonary artery configurations. ECMO is a lifesaving therapy but it is not without complications, patients' selection should be careful, and monitoring during the treatment is crucial. This review paper focuses on the definition, principles, types, and practical applications of ECMO therapy.
Key words: Acute respiratory distress syndrome, cardiogenic shock, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, hybrid, cannulation, membrane lung, venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, clinical outcomes
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