Science and Research

[Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation : Principles and medical indications]

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a special form of a miniaturized heart-lung machine with the ultimate goal to stabilize critically ill patients. Dependent on the cannulation strategy ECMO can support or replace heart and/or lung function. Medical indications and contraindications have to be evaluated thoroughly before cannulation. Moreover, before ECMO initiation a solid treatment aim has to be defined: bridge to recovery, bridge to decision, bridge to transplantation, and bridge to destination (i. e. implantation of a permanent assist device). Regarding invasiveness of the system, potential life-threatening complications, requirement of standardized monitoring of the patient and the device as well as tertiary care infrastructure, ECMO should exclusively be used in highly experienced tertiary centers.

  • David, S.; Napp, L. C.; Kuhn, C.; Hoeper, M. M.

Keywords

  • Complications, ECMO
  • Pulmonary embolism
  • Respiratory distress syndrome, acute
  • Respiratory failure
  • Shock, cardiogenic
Publication details
DOI: 10.1007/s00108-016-0102-2
Journal: Der Internist
Pages: 856-63 
Number: 9
Work Type: Review
Location: BREATH
Disease Area: ROR
Partner / Member: MHH
Access-Number: 27411792
See publication on PubMed

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