adult ECMO

Adult ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) is a life-support technique used when a person's lungs or heart can't function properly on their own. Blood is drawn from the body, passed through a machine that adds oxygen and removes carbon dioxide, then returned to the bloodstream. This process allows the heart and lungs to rest and heal. It’s typically used in severe cases of respiratory or cardiac failure, often as a last resort when other treatments haven't worked. While complex, ECMO provides critical support, buying time for recovery or further medical intervention.