Medical Blogs

Article by,

Dr. M Srivatsa Nagachandan
Associate Consultant - Critical Care

Imagine a loved one struggling to breathe, or their heart suddenly stopping. The doctors rush in, and you hear them mention a machine called ECMO. You’re worried, confused, and full of questions. What is ECMO? How does it work? Will it save your loved one? Let’s understand this life-saving technology in simple words.

• What is ECMO and Why is it Needed?

ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) is a special machine that helps when the heart or lungs stop working properly. It is used in critical situations when other treatments, like a ventilator or medications, are not enough.

• Doctors may recommend ECMO in cases of:

✔ Severe lung infections (like pneumonia or COVID-19)

✔ Heart failure or cardiac arrest

✔ Serious breathing problems in newborns

✔ Complications after major heart or lung surgery

✔ When CPR is not working, but the patient has a chance to recover

ECMO does not cure the illness. Instead, it supports the body while doctors treat the main problem.

• How Does ECMO Work?

Blood is taken out of the body through a tube.

The ECMO machine adds oxygen to the blood and removes harmful carbon dioxide.

The oxygen-rich blood is pumped back into the body, helping the organs survive.

It’s like giving the heart and lungs a break, allowing time for healing.

• Types of ECMO: What Kind Does One Need?

There are two types of ECMO, depending on whether the heart or lungs need support.

1. VA-ECMO (Veno-Arterial ECMO) – Heart and Lung Support

      •     Used when both the heart and lungs are failing.

      •     It helps after heart attacks, cardiac arrest, or heart surgery.

      •     The ECMO machine pumps blood like an artificial heart.

2. VV-ECMO (Veno-Venous ECMO) – Lung Support Only

      •     Used when only the lungs are failing, but the heart is working.

      •     Common in severe pneumonia, COVID-19, or lung injuries.

      •     ECMO helps provide oxygen to the blood until the lungs recover.

       Doctors will explain which type of ECMO is best suited for the patient’s condition.

• Is ECMO Painful?

Patients on ECMO are usually sedated (kept in a sleep-like state), so they do not feel pain. The medical team ensures they are comfortable and carefully monitors their condition 24/7.

• Can ECMO Save Life?

ECMO is not a guaranteed cure, but it gives critically ill patients a fighting chance. The success of ECMO depends on:

✅ The patient’s overall health

✅ The cause of heart or lung failure

✅ How quickly treatment started

Some patients recover fully, while others may need additional treatments like surgery or a transplant.

• What Should Families Know?

      •     ECMO is used only for patients with a chance of survival.

      •     It is a high-risk treatment, but sometimes the only option left.

      •     It requires expert ICU care, and patients stay in the hospital for a long time.

      •     Doctors will update the family regularly on the patient’s progress.

Hope and Reality

Hearing that your loved one needs ECMO can be overwhelming. It’s normal to feel scared, but ECMO offers hope when the heart or lungs are failing.

While not every ECMO story ends in survival, many patients recover and go on to live healthy lives.

If your loved one is on ECMO, trust the medical team, ask questions, and stay hopeful. They are receiving the best possible care.