Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Percutaneous mechanical devices are used in the treatment of severe cardiac or respiratory disease. These devices include extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, intra-aortic balloon pump, TandemHeart™, and Impella®. The use of these devices has increased over time as their clinical efficacy has been established and technological advancements have made their use more practical and accessible. Technological advancements have helped improve the morbidity of ECMO. Two of the major improvements have been to the oxygenator and to the pump system. As these devices become more commonplace, it is important to have a thorough understanding of how each device works, their indications, and potential complications.