ECMO

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ECMO

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), pronounced /ˈɛkmoʊ/, is a medical treatment that uses a machine to take over the work of the lungs and sometimes the heart. The term originates from the Greek words "ἐκτός" (ektos), meaning "outside", and "σῶμα" (soma), meaning "body", referring to the fact that the machine operates outside the body.

ECMO is used in patients who are critically ill and suffering from severe lung or heart conditions. It is often used when other treatments have failed and the patient's life is at risk.

Procedure

The ECMO procedure involves pumping blood from the patient's body to an "artificial lung" (oxygenator) that adds oxygen and removes carbon dioxide. Then the blood is warmed to body temperature and pumped back into the body.

Types of ECMO

There are two main types of ECMO: veno-venous (VV) and veno-arterial (VA).

  • Veno-venous ECMO (VV ECMO) is used when the problem is only with the lungs. It provides respiratory support but does not help the heart.
  • Veno-arterial ECMO (VA ECMO) is used when there are problems with both the heart and the lungs. It provides both respiratory and cardiac support.

Risks and Complications

Like any medical procedure, ECMO has potential risks and complications. These can include bleeding, infection, and damage to the blood vessels. There is also a risk of organ failure if the body does not respond well to the treatment.

Related Terms

  • Artificial lung - A device that replaces the function of the lungs by adding oxygen to and removing carbon dioxide from the blood.
  • Oxygenator - The part of the ECMO machine that acts as an artificial lung.
  • Veno-venous ECMO - A type of ECMO that provides respiratory support.
  • Veno-arterial ECMO - A type of ECMO that provides both respiratory and cardiac support.

External links

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