Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) emerges as a crucial lifesaver in critical care for patients with severe respiratory or cardiac failure. This review delves into ECMO’s journey from its inception to the cutting-edge advancements and its profound impact in critical care. It highlights ECMO’s versatility in treating diverse conditions, the importance of patient selection, and managing complications. Technological progress, including miniaturization, innovative circuit designs, and remote monitoring, illustrates the evolving ECMO landscape. The article underscores ECMO’s significant role in enhancing survival rates, mobility, and leveraging remote expertise, portraying it as a beacon of hope and innovation in redefining life support boundaries.