ECMO
Pronunciation: ECK-mo
Also written as: ECMO — Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
A life support technique that provides cardiac and respiratory support to patients whose heart and lungs cannot provide adequate gas exchange.
Full Definition
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is an advanced life support technique used in surgical critical care when conventional mechanical ventilation and medical management are insufficient. The system removes blood from the patient's body, oxygenates it externally, removes carbon dioxide, and returns it to the patient. ECMO can provide either veno-venous support (respiratory only) or veno-arterial support (both cardiac and respiratory). It is commonly used as a bridge to recovery, transplantation, or other definitive interventions in critically ill surgical patients.
Usage
Usage note: Always capitalize as ECMO, not Ecmo or ecmo. Specify veno-venous (VV) or veno-arterial (VA) when relevant.
In Context
- "The patient was placed on veno-arterial ECMO following post-operative cardiogenic shock." — Critical care progress note
- "ECMO weaning protocols were initiated on post-operative day 5." — Multidisciplinary team documentation