ECMO: Definitions and Principles

In this chapter, we will focus on the component of ECMO and the different type circuits. Directly based on the principle of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), short-term circulatory support was developed to supplement heart and/or respiratory failure. The basic principle of ECMO is to collect the patient’s venous blood into a pump connected to an oxygenator and restore the oxygenated and decarboxylated blood to the patient. Circulatory support is represented by two techniques closely related in their implantation but whose objectives are different. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) aims to supplement failing lungs, while extracorporeal life support (ECLS) aims to support heart failure. ECMO will primarily affect oxygenation and decarboxylation of blood, while ECLS has a circulatory and a respiratory effect. By extension, the acronym ECMO is used for all short-term circulatory support techniques (under 1 month).