Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Program

Northwestern Medicine provides extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), or extracorporeal life support, to patients with life-threatening illness or injuries that prevent their lungs or heart from working effectively. With the veno-venous ECMO (VV-ECMO), the machine removes blood from the body, oxygenates it and returns it to the body, acting as artificial lungs. This allows the patient’s lungs to rest and provides more time for medical treatments to address the underlying condition. VV-ECMO itself is not a direct treatment; it serves as a “bridge” on the way to medical improvement or a lung transplant.

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Most patients who need VV-ECMO require the ongoing assistance of a ventilator. To prepare the body for VV-ECMO, a surgeon places plastic tubes called cannulae into two large veins for blood exchange. Patients are given pain medications to keep them comfortable during this procedure. Once the tubes are in place, they are not painful. When the VV-ECMO machine is running, the non-oxygenated blood being removed from the body is dark red in color. After the blood is oxygenated by the machine, its color during its return to the body is bright red.

After VV-ECMO begins, most patients remain sedated. However, with time, some patients may no longer require sedation to be comfortable, at which point they may wake up and be able to interact with people. In some cases, patients may be able to participate in exercises to build their strength while on the VV-ECMO machine.

Meet the Team

A physician looks at a pulmonary scan of the lungs.

At Northwestern Medicine, we have assembled an extraordinary team of specialists to care for patients and families during this time of acute illness.

Meet the Northwestern Medicine VV-ECMO Care Team

Areas of Care

History of ECMO

ECMO technology was developed in the 1960s to serve as a long-term "bypass machine" to support the lungs or heart.

history of ecmo

Veno-Venous Versus Veno-Arterial ECMO

There are two main types of ECMO support.

veno-venous versus veno-arterial ecmo

When VV-ECMO Is Needed

The main reason to use VV-ECMO therapy is severe lung failure that cannot be treated by medications and a breathing machine.

when vv-ecmo is needed

After VV-ECMO

VV-ECMO is used to give the lungs an opportunity to heal or, in some cases, as a support while waiting for lung transplantation.

after vv-ecmo

Potential Complications

Potential complications related to VV-ECMO can arise.

potential complications

Role of the Family

If you have a loved one on VV-ECMO, you have an important role in their care, and we want you to be able to spend time with them.

role of the family

VV-ECMO and COVID-19

Approximately 5% of patients with COVID-19 develop critical lung disease that requires a breathing tube and ventilatory support.

vv-ecmo and covid-19

Glossary

Review the glossary of terms related to ECMO.

glossary

Locations & Contact Information

Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital are nationally recognized in Pulmonology by U.S. News & World Report.

Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Nationally recognized in Pulmonology & Lung Surgery (No. 12)

northwestern memorial hospital details

Lung Transplant Program

The Northwestern Medicine Lung Transplant Program is dedicated to providing innovative services and a world-class patient experience through comprehensive transplant care. We offer a team approach to care for patients with advanced lung disease.

lung transplant program

Northwestern Medicine Launches Lung Failure Training Program for Community

When medication and breathing machines aren’t enough, ECMO can serve as a “bridge” to medical improvement or a lung transplant.

read article

Related Resources

NM ECMO Publications

References

Kurihara C, Walter JM, Karim A, et al. Feasibility of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation without systemic anticoagulation. Ann Thorac Surg. 2020;110(4):1209–1215. doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2020.02.011

Kurihara C, Walter JM, Singer BD, et al. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation can successfully support patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome in lieu of mechanical ventilation. Crit Care Med. 2018;46(11):e1070–e1073. doi:10.1097/CCM.0000000000003354

Mehta T, Sallehuddin A, John J. The journey of pediatric ECMO. Qatar Med J. 2017(1);4. doi:10.5339/qmj.2017.swacelso.4

Papathanassoglou E, Park T. To put the patient in the best condition: integrating integrative therapies in critical care. Nurs Crit Care. 2016;21(3):123–126. doi:10.1111/nicc.12243

Patel AR, Patel AR, Singh S, Singh S, Munn NJ. Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy in adults. Cureus. 2019;11(8):e5365. doi:10.7759/cureus.5365

Shaheen A, Tanaka D, Cavarocchi NC, Hirose H. Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V V ECMO): indications, preprocedural considerations, and technique. J Card Surg. 2016;31(4):248–252. doi:10.1111/jocs.12690

Tramm R, Ilic D, Murphy K, Sheldrake J, Pellegrino V, Hodgson C. Experience and needs of family members of patients treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. J Clin Nurs. 2017;26(11–12):1657–1668. doi:10.1111/jocn.13566

Verity R, Okell LC, Dorigatti I, et al. Estimates of the severity of coronavirus disease 2019: a model-based analysis. Lancet Infect Dis. 2020;20(6):669–677. doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(20)30243-7

White A, Fan E. What is ECMO? Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2016;193(6):P9–P10. doi:10.1164/rccm.1936P9

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Dan Spees wears a “lung transplant survivor” shirt after his double-lung transplant at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

Joyous Celebrations After a Double-Lung Transplant

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ECMO Innovation Is Key for COVID-19 Care

ECMO machines help oxygenate the blood, meeting a critical need for some patients at Northwestern Medicine.

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