Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation - Related Videos
06:41
Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in a Mouse
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Cited by 10 •
2018
Here we present a protocol describing the technique of veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in a non-intubated, spontaneously breathing mouse. This murine model of ECMO can be effectively implemented in experimental studies of acute and end-stage lung diseases.
03:40
Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Peripheral Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Without Left Ventricular Venting
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Cited by 1 •
2025
This protocol outlines the use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) to monitor patients on peripheral veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) without left ventricular venting. It evaluates left ventricular distension, intracardiac or aortic root thrombus, and identifies useful cardiac POCUS parameters for weaning from V-A ECMO.
09:56
Determination of Mitochondrial Membrane Potential and Reactive Oxygen Species in Live Rat Cortical Neurons
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Cited by 230 •
2011
We demonstrate application of the fluorescence indicator, TMRM, in cortical neurons to determine the relative changes in TMRM fluorescence intensity before and after application of a specific stimulus. We also show application of the fluorescence probe H2DCF-DA to assess the relative level of reactive oxygen species in cortical neurons.
05:21
Laparoscopic Extracorporeal Knot-Tying for Uterine Vessel Occlusion during Hysterectomy with Cervical Cerclage in Large Uteri
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2025
Here, we introduce a novel approach-Laparoscopic Extracorporeal Knot-Tying for Uterine Vessel Occlusion during Hysterectomy with Cervical Cerclage in Large Uteri. A laparoscopic extracorporeal knot-pusher is used to perform cervical cerclage, achieving complete occlusion of uterine arteries. Thereafter, the corpus uteri are excised to enhance visibility and facilitate the operative field.
09:08
Detecting Reactive Oxygen Species
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2023
Reactive oxygen species are chemically active, oxygen-derived molecules capable of oxidizing other molecules. Because of their reactive nature, there are many deleterious effects associated with unchecked ROS production, including structural damage to DNA and other biological molecules. However, ROS can also be mediators of physiological signaling. There is accumulating evidence that ROS play significant roles in everything from activation of transcription factors to the mediation of...
FAQs
Within the artificial membrane lung, gas exchange occurs by diffusion: oxygen moves into circulating blood while carbon dioxide moves out. This external exchange partially substitutes for impaired pulmonary gas exchange rather than requiring the native lungs to perform all respiratory work. The mechanism is therefore relevant when inadequate oxygenation or carbon dioxide removal accompanies severe acute respiratory failure.
The pump keeps blood moving through the extracorporeal circuit so it can reach the membrane lung and then return to the patient. Depending on the circuit, blood returns through a venous or arterial pathway. This arrangement allows the system to provide respiratory support alone or contribute to circulatory support when the heart cannot maintain adequate circulation.
Venovenous ECMO returns blood to the venous circulation and primarily addresses respiratory failure by supporting oxygen transfer and carbon dioxide removal. Venoarterial ECMO returns blood through an arterial circuit, supporting patients whose cardiac function is also inadequate. This distinction connects circuit configuration with the principal organ systems requiring temporary assistance: the lungs alone, or the heart and lungs together.
ECMO is intended to stabilize a patient during severe acute illness while the underlying situation changes. The support may provide time for the lungs or heart to recover, for clinicians to deliver definitive treatment, or for transplantation to become possible. Its value therefore lies in serving as a bridge through a critical period rather than replacing long-term organ function.
Blood first leaves the patient through the extracorporeal circuit, is propelled by a pump, and passes through the artificial membrane lung. Oxygen enters the blood and carbon dioxide leaves it during this passage. The processed blood then returns through either a venous or arterial route, depending on whether the intended support is primarily respiratory or cardiorespiratory.
Clinicians may consider ECMO when the lungs, heart, or both cannot sustain adequate gas exchange or circulation during severe acute illness. The choice of venovenous or venoarterial support follows the dominant physiologic problem. In this context, ECMO functions as a stabilizing measure while the patient undergoes recovery, definitive treatment, or evaluation for transplantation.
By temporarily providing oxygenation, carbon dioxide removal, or circulatory assistance, ECMO can stabilize patients whose native organ function is insufficient. Stabilization may create time for recovery from acute illness, allow definitive treatment to take effect, or maintain support while transplantation is pursued. The meaningful outcome is not simply circuit function, but preservation of an opportunity for a subsequent intervention or recovery.