ECMO, short form for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, is a therapy in which a heart-lung bypass machine is used to oxygenate the blood and pump it back into your body. This machine removes the carbon dioxide from the blood, sending back oxygen-rich blood that flows to the tissues in your body. ECMO therapy takes the pressure off your heart and lungs and allows them to rest and heal.
Comprehensive Information and Expertise for ECMO Therapy
The duration a person can be on an ECMO machine depends on the severity of their condition. Once they show signs of recovery, weaning off ECMO usually takes 2 to 5 days, but this can vary based on individual circumstances.
ECMO is used to treat serious medical conditions such as lung transplant, heart transplant, cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, pulmonary embolism, cardiogenic shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and heart defects at birth.
ECMO therapy poses risks such as bleeding, infection, equipment failure, and stroke/blood clots. Bleeding may occur due to blood thinners, while infection is common. Equipment failure is rare, and the risk of stroke is due to the formation of blood clots or air bubbles.
The quality of life after ECMO can vary greatly depending on the patient’s underlying condition and the success of the treatment. In some cases, patients may experience a full recovery and return to their normal activities, while in others, there may be long-term complications that can impact their quality of life.
Typically, the patient isn’t weaned off ECMO until the underlying lung or cardiac condition is resolved. In some cases, this may take around 5 days, while others may require 25-30 days of ECMO support.
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