Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: Lifesaving for the Right Patient, at the Right Time and in the Right Place
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a life-saving technology for patients with cardiorespiratory failure unresponsive to standard treatments, has seen increased global use since the H1N1 pandemic in 2009, particularly for adult respiratory and cardiac failures. The most rapid expansion of its use has been in extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR), which serves as a critical intervention in cases of refractory cardiac arrest, maintaining circulation and allowing time for potential reversal of the underlying cause.