A steady heartbeat. A rhythmic breathing pattern. Sometimes, these basic functions that sustain life can be too much to ask of a person’s body. This can happen at any age if someone experiences serious respiratory problems. The person’s healthcare team may turn to various treatments to revive basic functions and return the person to health.
One approach has come into broader use in recent years: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), also known as extracorporeal life support (ECLS), is a form of heart-lung bypass that provides the body with additional oxygen when other measures have failed. It offers significant, even lifesaving benefits. But it also carries some risks.
Since ECMO is typically only considered when people have serious medical conditions affecting the heart or lungs, it’s generally provided in intensive care units of hospitals.
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