[Updates on extracorporeal life support in the world and challenges in Turkey]

Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is instituted for the management of life threatening pulmonary or cardiac failure (or both), when no other form of treatment has been or is likely to be successful. It has being used in developed countries for many years. ECLS has come into practice for a while in Turkey, in order to ECLS recommendations. However, most of them are postcardiotomy cases. However, this therapeutic option has more indications including its reason that brought it into practice. All equipment of the system has being changed with the developing technology. The aim of this paper is to point out this modality, to introduce equipment, and to give information about organization and management to bring this therapeutic option in Turkey in order.