ECMO for patients needing surgery

Schmidt, M., Fraser, J., Taccone, F. Intensive Care Medicine DOI: 10.1007/s00134-026-08297-6

Abstract: Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) and veno-venous ECMO (V-V ECMO) are well-established rescue methods for cardiogenic shock and severe respiratory failure that do not respond to conventional treatment. Over the past twenty years, advances in cannula design, pump and oxygenator technology, as well as the simplification of percutaneous cannulation, have significantly expanded the clinical applications of ECMO. Additionally, the development of mobile ECMO teams and standardized management protocols has further enhanced its clinical utility.