Extra Corporeal Membrane Therapy (ECMO)
Overview
ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) is a complex system, similar to the heart-lung bypass machine used in open heart surgery. When a patient is connected to ECMO, blood flows through tubing to an artificial lung in the machine, which adds oxygen and takes out carbon dioxide. Thereafter, the blood is warmed as per the body temperature and pumped back in the body.
There are two types of Extra Corporeal Membrane Therapy (ECMO)
VA ECMO is connected both to a vein and an artery and is used when there are problems with both heart and lungs.
The VV-ECMO is connected to one or more veins, usually near the heart and is used when the problem is only in the lungs. This machine is primarily used for:
-Patients recovering from heart failure, or lung failure or heart surgery.
- As a bridge option to further treatment, i.e. when doctors want to assess the state of other organs such as the kidneys or brain before performing heart or lung surgery.
- Providing support during high-risk procedures in the cardiac catheterization lab after massive heart attack.
- As a bridge to a heart assist device, such as left ventricular assist device (LVAD).
- As a bridge for patients awaiting lung transplant. The ECMO helps keep tissues well oxygenated, which makes the patient a better candidate for transplant.
-Severe lung failure following Swine Flu infection (H1N1)
- Severe lung failure following Dengue fever.
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) secondary to pneumonia, aspiration, severe air leak
Refractory Septic / Cardiogenic Shock
Myocarditis - viral, scorpion sting
Post Arrest shock
Meconium Aspiration
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension
Poisoning
