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Review
. 2018 Apr-Jun;14(2):110-119.
doi: 10.14797/mdcj-14-2-110.

The Role and Impact of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Critical Care

Iqbal Ratnani  1 , Divina Tuazon  1 , Asma Zainab  1 , Faisal Uddin  1
Affiliations
Review

The Role and Impact of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Critical Care

Iqbal Ratnani et al. Methodist Debakey Cardiovasc J. 2018 Apr-Jun.

Abstract

Use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been exponentially increasing over the last decade and is now considered a mainstream lifesaving treatment modality in critical care medicine. However, the need for physician education, training, and experience remains imperative. Although ECMO has traditionally been used in end-stage lung disease and circulatory collapse, it is being adopted for use in right heart failure, as a bridge to heart and lung transplantation, and as rescue therapy for both sepsis and post-organ transplantation. The following article discusses indications, management, complications, and challenges of ECMO as well as our experience at the Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center.

Keywords: ARDS; ECMO; acute respiratory distress syndrome; cardiogenic shock; extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; heart transplant; lung transplant; right heart failure; sepsis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest Disclosure: The authors have completed and submitted the Methodist DeBakey Cardiovascular Journal Conflict of Interest Statement and none were reported.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
The PROTEK Duo veno-venous cannula (CardiacAssist, Inc.) provides venous drainage and reinfusion of blood through an internal jugular vein while on ECMO support.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Typical femoral veno-venous cannulation.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Pharmacy-managed anticoagulation protocol for patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Decrease in mortality at the Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center achieved by instituting a multidisciplinary team approach. VV: venovenous; VA: venoarterial
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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