Evolving Therapies and Technologies in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Over the past 20 years, coinciding with the global H1H1 influenza and COVID-19 pandemics, there has been an exponential increase in the application of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) therapies for acute cardiac and/or respiratory failure. Not only has the number of patients supported with ECMO increased substantially but so has the number of centers offering such technologies and the types of clinical problems successfully managed with ECMO. In addition, technological advances and the science of long-term extracorporeal biology have also increased our knowledge and understanding of this complex therapy. This comprehensive review of ECMO highlights several aspects of clinical use, management challenges, and evolving technology.