name of the term: ECMO

descriptions of the term:

ECMO

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used in patients whose lungs are severely damaged (ARDS acute lung failure) and who no longer enable gas exchange to the extent that ensures respiratory function. An ECMO device is a special oxygenator, namely a membrane oxygenator. Technically, it is like a heart-lung machine. To take an ECMO, canulas are placed in two large blood vessels. Anticoagulants are added to prevent blood from clotting. The ECMO device continuously pumps blood through a membrane oxygenator, which replaces the metabolism in the lungs: this removes carbon dioxide from the blood and enriches it with oxygen. The processed blood is now returned to the patient.

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