ECMO
Pronunciation: ECK-moh
Also written as: ECMO — Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Extracorporeal circulatory support system providing temporary cardiac and pulmonary assistance during high-risk interventions or cardiogenic shock.
Full Definition
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a form of temporary mechanical circulatory support that assumes the function of both heart and lungs by circulating blood through an external artificial lung and pump system. In interventional cardiology, ECMO is utilized for hemodynamic support during extremely high-risk procedures or as rescue therapy for cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest. The system can provide venoarterial support (VA-ECMO) for combined cardiac and respiratory failure or venovenous support (VV-ECMO) for isolated respiratory failure. ECMO enables complex interventional procedures in patients who would otherwise be inoperable and serves as a bridge to recovery, decision-making, or definitive therapy such as heart transplantation.
Usage
Usage note: Specify VA-ECMO or VV-ECMO configuration when clinically relevant.
In Context
- "VA-ECMO support was initiated prior to high-risk left main intervention in this patient with severely reduced ejection fraction." — Interventional procedure report
- "The protocol specified ECMO availability for all patients undergoing complex multivessel intervention with cardiogenic shock." — Institutional care pathway