Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: current use and future directions

AACN Clinical Issues in Critical Care Nursing
|August 1, 1990
PubMed

Insights

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides life support for neonates and pediatric patients with severe heart or lung failure. This review covers ECMO history, mechanics, applications, and critical care nursing management, including a case study.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pulmonology
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) supports patients with reversible cardiopulmonary failure unresponsive to conventional treatments.
  • Its application in critically ill neonates shows encouraging results.
  • ECMO use in pediatrics is increasing, though historically limited.

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