Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a type of life support system used for patients with severe and life-threatening illnesses, such as severe infection-related lung damage or shock following a major heart attack.
The ECMO machine is connected to the patient via a cannula placed in large veins and arteries in the legs, neck, or chest. It transports blood from the patient’s body to an artificial lung (oxygenator), which adds oxygen and removes carbon dioxide, effectively replacing the function of the patient’s own lungs. The blood is then returned to the patient via a pump with the same force as the heart, effectively replacing its function. A perfusionist or ECMO specialist will adjust the machine’s settings to provide the patient with the necessary heart and lung support.
ECMO may also result in complications such as bleeding, kidney failure, infection, leg damage, and/or stroke. Although an ECMO machine can help save a person’s life, it does not treat the underlying disease or injury that caused the heart and lung failure.
Shiza Mirza, a young 14-year-old girl from Nanded, successfully received Advanced Life Support with ECMO at Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad, under the supervision of Dr. Viswesvaran Balasubramanian, Consultant in Interventional Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine, and Dr. Kaladhar S, Senior Consultant and HOD, Critical Care Medicine.
Dr. B Viswesvaran
MD, DNB, DM (Pulmonary and Critical care - Gold Medalist), Fellowship in Sleep Medicine (Gold Medalist), Fellowship in Interventional Pulmonology (Malaysia), European Diploma in Adult Respiratory Medicine (Switzerland)Senior Consultant Interventional Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine
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