ECMO

What is ECMO?

ECMO stands for Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation. It's similar the heart-lung bypass machine that's used during heart surgery. It's been used in the UK since the 1990's, for Intensive Care patients with the most severe cardiac (heart) and respiratory (breathing) conditions. It's a highly specialist and resource-intensive treatment that is only available in a few UK ICUs. It is only suitable for some of the very sickest patients with COVID-19. 

How does it work? 

In very simple terms, it's a bit like an artificial lung. The patient is connected to the machine via tubes (or cannula), usually in the large blood vessels in the groin or neck. It works by pumping blood out of the body ("extra corporeal") and into a machine ("membrane") which removes carbon dioxide and adds oxygen. The oxygen-rich blood is then warmed and pumped back to the patient. In order to prevent blood clotting in the tubes, a blood thinning drug may be used. 

What are the risks?

The use of blood thinners may increase the risk of bleeding. In order to reduce this risk, the staff will regularly check that the patient is receiving just the right amount of blood thinner (not too much and not too little) whilst he or she is attached to the filter or kidney machine. As with other invasive treatments, there is a risk of infection.Patients are carefully assessed for signs of infection, and any infection will be identified and treated as quickly as possible.