Neurological Injury in Adults Treated With Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Abstract

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a form of mechanical circulatory support that can be life-saving in people with potentially reversible heart or lung injury. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is nearly always used urgently, when all other treatment options for cardiopulmonary injury have failed and mortality is otherwise expected. Standard ECMO treatment involves venous drainage from the femoral vein or left atrium with artificial extracirculatory oxygen exchange. Return to the body is through the same veins (venovenous) or arterial system via the femoral artery or ascending aorta (venoarterial). Compared with cardiopulmonary bypass circuitry, ECMO is transportable, smaller, and closed to the atmosphere and can treat a patient for several days to weeks.¹