2023-08-01 18:02:42
ECMO stands for Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and is a technique that supports vital functions through extracorporeal circulation, thus increasing oxygenation and reducing carbon dioxide (CO2). of the blood and also increases cardiac output and acts on body temperature.
Therefore, it can be said that it is an extracorporeal circulation procedure that is used as support in people with heart or respiratory failure, to put the heart and lungs at rest, replacing their ventilatory and pumping functions.
Thanks to ECMO it is possible to temporarily entrust the functions of the heart and lungs to an external machine and intervene with medical treatment to the patient. Next we will explain more in depth what it consists of.
How ECMO works
He ECMO system It is composed of a pump, an oxygenator and a blood warmer. This technique is even performed by cannulation of central veins (usually internal jugular or femoral) and artery, and can be configured in this way. In other words, ECMO is a heart-lung machine that replaces cardiac and/or respiratory function and works as follows:
With a pump (which allows the patient’s blood to be drawn), it is placed inside an artificial lung or heart, where carbon dioxide is removed from the blood and oxygen is added. The blood is then heated and returned to the patient’s body. Blood is always drawn from the venous circulation. Replacement can again take place via venous blood vessels or via arterial blood vessels. The cannulas used can be placed percutaneously or surgically.
Some risks associated with this procedure
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is an invasive procedure that helps and complements the function of vital organs and is therefore not without risk.
The biggest risk for ECMO patients is bleeding, which can occur due to the use of heparin, which is a blood-thinning medication. Although, on the other hand, it is essential because it allows the oxygenator to work better and prevents the formation of clots within the circuit. Another danger is posed by gas emboli, air bubbles that can block the flow of blood within a blood vessel.
Once the ECMO machine is disconnected, the patient remains on mechanical ventilation until they can breathe on their own again. This time varies from one patient to another and can take from a few days to a few weeks.
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