Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a cardiopulmonary support machine. It is quite similar to the heart-lung by-pass machine that is used in open-heart surgery. It is an artificial machine, by which patients’ blood pumps and oxygenates outside the body. It allows the lung and heart to rest. When any patient's heart is not capable to pump blood outside that situation, ECMO connects to the patient that assists in blood flowing through tubing to an artificial lung in the machine. Additionally, this machine adds oxygen and takes out carbon dioxide, later on, the blood warms to body temperature and pumps back into the body.





Types of ECMO

Do you know? there are two types of ECMO i.e. VA ECMO and W ECMO. VA ECMO connects to both vein and artery. Now the question is what is the use of it. It uses when there is a problem with both the heart and lungs. On the other hand, W ECMO is used only in the lungs. This system connects to one or more veins, usually near the heart.

What is the reason to use ECMO?

ECMO uses for multiple purposes when the lung is unable to provide enough oxygen to the body then it helps to provide extra oxygen. It is also used in other situations when the lung is unable to get rid of carbon dioxide then it is used as a mechanical ventilator.

Needs of ECMO

ECMO is majorly used in infants who are sick due to heart issues or breathing. The main motive to design such a machine is that it is used to provide sufficient oxygen to the babies. Thus, it allows time for the heart and lungs to heal or rest. The most common situations that require ECMO such as-

·       Birth defect of the heart

·       Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS)

·       Severe air leak issues

·       Severe pneumonia

·       Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH)

·       Sever high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs (PPHN)


One question was arising in my mind about how a baby was placed on ECMO. Actually, I was watching a Korean webserie (GHOST DOCTOR). On that webserie, healthcare professionals placed ECMO on adults. So, I was thinking that if a baby is there then how is the baby placed on ECMO. Before starting ECMO, there requires a large team of caregivers who can stabilize the baby. Additionally, they can set up carefully and prime the ECMO pump with fluid and blood. Surgery performs to attach the ECMO pump to the baby through catheters that are placed into large blood vessels in the baby’s groin or neck.



I know! All of you are thinking that it's a portable device or not. USCF uses instead ECMO. USCF uses instead ECMO because it is a smaller portable device that can easily carry by one person and can transport in an ambulance or helicopter.  It is majorly used in emergency cases.


 Application of ECMO

·       It is used when a patient recovers from heart failure or lung failure or heart surgery.

·    It is used as a bridge option for further treatment i.e. when healthcare professionals want to detect the state of the other organs i.e. brain or kidney before performing lung or heart surgery.

·     It is used in one situation as a bridge when a patient awaits a lung transplant. In that state, ECMO supports keeping tissues well-oxygenated, thus patients become a better candidates for transportation.

 

Risk of ECMO

As you are all aware of this fact, ECMO uses for only those patients who are already very sick and they are at high risk for chronic issues, including death. When an adult or baby places on ECMO then automatically several risks include such as-

·       Blood clot formation

·       Bleeding

·       Transfusion problems

·       Infection

·       Rarely mechanical issues i.e. pump stops tube breaks that can harm baby or adult.

 

Thanks to all for inspiring me to write more and more.

Be happy! 😊😊😊😊

 

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