Extracorporeal Circulatory/Life Support: An Update

Abstract

The evolution of extracorporeal life support technology has added a new advanced dimension to intensive care management of acute cardiac and/or respiratory failure in neonatal, pediatric, and adult patients who fail conventional treatment. ECMO has been a controversial subject within the intensive care community for many years. Perceptions have, however, changed positively over the past decade due to a need for improved management of these groups of patients, technological advances, and evolving evidence. As is common with many emerging therapies, its optimal use is currently not fully backed by quality evidence.