|
 ECMO
Machine
In intensive care medicine, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or ECMO
is an instrument, which provides oxygen to patients whose lungs can no
longer serve their function properly.
The ECMO is comparable to a heart-lung machine. Access to the patient's
blood is achieved by placing cannulas in the large blood vessels.
Heparin or another anticoagulant drug is given to the patient to prevent
blood clotting. The ECMO then constantly pumps blood from the patient
through a membrane oxygenator, which duplicates the gas exchange process
of the lungs, by removing the carbon dioxide and adding oxygen, the
oxygenated blood is returned to the patient and the process continues.
ECMO supply adequate oxygenation for weeks, giving the diseased lungs
time to heal. Due to the risk of hemorrhaging because of the
anticoagulant, the possible development of DIC (Disseminated
Intravascular Coagulation), the high cost, and risk of other
complications ECMO is generally only considered as a last resort.
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