Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is a machine-assisted therapy that acts as an artificial heart and or lung for patients in severe cardiopulmonary distress. It provides an opportunity for heart and lung recovery while stabilizing hemodynamics in the event of serious illness or even sudden cardiac arrest. Once viewed primarily as a salvage therapy, ECMO has grown in use cases and utilization, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The rise of respiratory and cardiac diseases, as well as an aging population, have propelled ECMO into a greater number of clinical environments. Additionally, more research has been conducted to demonstrate its ability to improve outcomes for a variety of conditions.
Evaluating ECMO Outcomes
ECMO is most often used in cases of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), cardiac arrest, and cardiogenic shock. The Journal of Clinical Medicine reports that in a randomized controlled trial, mortality rates for ARDS patients treated with ECMO were 37% compared to 53% of patients whose conditions were managed with conventional treatment.
ECMO is regularly utilized for the sickest patients, which contextualizes higher mortality rates overall; even so, ECMO technology is advancing, and long-term outcomes are being weighed for more than just mortality. A patient’s neurological, psychological, and social outcomes in recovery must also be considered.
The Journal adds, “Critically ill patients treated without the use of ECMO also suffer from a number of more or less serious disorders after their discharge from the hospital.” It notes that evaluating ECMO results versus conventional care results should incorporate quality of life over survival alone, citing a post-ICU study that revealed life quality data for ICU patients treated with ECMO: “30% were transferred to a rehabilitation unit, 20% to a skilled nursing facility, 23% to an acute care hospital, and 27% of these patients were discharged home as self-sufficient.”
ECMO is also decreasing risks and offering a lifeline to more patients in serious conditions. Medicina reports that survival rates exceed 60% in ECMO-assisted thoracic surgeries, and researchers are optimistic about ECMO’s future. “Recent advancements, such as portable ECMO systems and artificial intelligence-driven management tools, have further enhanced the safety and effectiveness of ECMO, enabling its use in diverse clinical environments,” says Medicina. When conventional treatment comes up short, ECMO can be highly impactful in the surgical suite for tracheal resections, ventricular tachycardia ablations, percutaneous coronary interventions, and more.
Optimism for the Future of ECMO
As research on ECMO continues to be conducted and reviewed, optimizations in technology and training are improving and expanding its utilization. The Extracorporeal Life Support Organization offers training courses and certification for ECMO specialization so that more clinicians can safely implement ECMO for the sickest patients. SpecialtyCare, the nation’s largest provider of ECMO — supporting one in five ECMO patients across the country, which equates to roughly one in ten in the world — also provides online and on-site training, including simulation and wet lab courses. Ideal candidates are perfusionists, respiratory therapists, and nurses based on their knowledge and bedside experience.
Cureus summarizes the industry’s optimism for the future of ECMO as Allied Market Research projects for its market value to increase considerably in the coming years. “Advances in technology, including miniaturization, novel circuit designs, and the integration of remote monitoring, showcase the evolving landscape of ECMO,” says Cureus. “ review underscores the ongoing impact of ECMO in improving survival rates, enhancing mobility, and enabling remote expertise. As a symbol of hope and innovation, ECMO’s lifesaving potential is evident in its ability to navigate the complexities of critical care and redefine the boundaries of life support interventions.”
Get ECMO Support for Your Hospital
Does your hospital need more support or training to provide ECMO therapy for severely ill patients? SpecialtyCare can place ECMO Specialists on your team who will work with your clinicians to provide optimal care for ECMO patients, from the OR to the ICU. We also provide high quality training to give your nurses, perfusionists, and respiratory therapists the experience and skills they need to implement and manage ECMO. ECMO is improving outcomes and offering a critical lifeline to patients in life-threatening clinical conditions. We would love to lend you our specialists, training, and expertise to help you serve them. Contact us today to learn more!
