What is extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)?
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an important treatment for infants and children with cardiorespiratory failure. ECMO is the use of an artificial lung (membrane) located outside the body (extracorporeal), that puts oxygen into the blood and then carries this blood to the body tissues (oxygenation). It is a modified form of heart-lung bypass and is used for a longer period than the machines used in the operating room during open-heart surgery.