What is extracorporeal membrane lung?

  Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), for short, is an extracorporeal life support technology that can replace cardiopulmonary function for a certain period of time. In other words, blood is drawn from the body to the outside of the body through an arteriovenous cannula, then oxygenated with oxygen in a hollow fiber membrane oxygenator (membrane lung) to expel carbon dioxide, and then a high-speed centrifugal pump instills blood into the body through an arterial cannula to provide effective circulatory support, thereby improving hypoxemia and providing prolonged cardiopulmonary support. During ECMO treatment, the heart and lungs are rested, which gives valuable recovery time for cardiopulmonary function.