extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a medical setup that temporarily takes over the function of the heart and lungs. Blood is drawn from the body, passed through a machine that adds oxygen and removes carbon dioxide, then returned to the bloodstream. This allows the heart and lungs to rest and recover from severe illness or injury, such as respiratory failure or cardiac failure. ECMO is typically used in critical care settings for patients not responding to conventional treatments and requires close monitoring by specialized medical teams. It serves as a bridge to recovery, transplant, or other therapies.