Position Statement
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
Abstract
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is increasingly being employed in South African intensive care units for the management of patients with refractory hypoxaemia and for haemodynamic support, particularly following cardiothoracic procedures. ECMO is expensive, however, and there is a danger that this rescue modality may be abused or utilised unnecessarily or in situations where further intensive therapy is futile. This brief review provides an overview of the techniques available, and the recommended indications and exclusions for venovenous ECMO in particular.
Authors' affiliations
Guy A Richards, Director: Critical Care, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, Johannesburg; Departments of Critical Care and Pulmonology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
I Joubert, Director: Critical Care, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town; Departments of Critical Care and Anaesthesiology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Article History
Date published: 2013-06-18
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