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It is a form of life support that has been used since the 1970s to provide temporary cardiac and respiratory assistance to critically ill patients. This Wikipedia page provides an overview of ECMO, including its history, types, indications, procedure, and potential complications. It explains that ECMO involves removing blood from the body, passing it through a membrane oxygenator that adds oxygen and removes carbon dioxide, and then returning the oxygenated blood to the patient's circulation. The page also discusses the two main types of ECMO: venoarterial ECMO (VA-ECMO) and venovenous ECMO (VV-ECMO), which differ in the area of the body where the blood is withdrawn and returned. Additionally, the page delves into the various reasons why ECMO may be used, such as respiratory failure, cardiac failure, and congenital heart problems. It highlights that ECMO is typically considered a last-resort treatment when all other options have failed, as it carries potential risks and complications such as bleeding, infection, and organ damage. The article concludes with a discussion of the outcomes and limitations of ECMO therapy, including its effectiveness in improving survival rates and its limitations in terms of availability and cost. It emphasizes the need for careful patient selection and ongoing monitoring to ensure optimal outcomes for those undergoing ECMO treatment.