Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cardiopulmonary resuscitation, a luxury we cannot afford missing: a narrative review

Abstract

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was introduced into practice since more than four decades to support patients with advanced yet potentially reversible cardiopulmonary failure. Following several prospective clinical trials, ECMO is considered a widely accepted support modality in severe neonatal respiratory failure and in pediatric cardiac failure, particularly in the perioperative environment. Compared with conventional CPR, ECPR provides higher level of cardiac output support and several potential advantages including a higher rate of successful ROSC, support of post-resuscitation cardiogenic shock while arranging and performing coronary interventions and maintaining organ perfusion during recovery of native cardiac output.