Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides life support for patients with respiratory (lung) or heart failure. It’s an alternative to a ventilator for the most critically ill and injured patients and is only available at hospitals with the highest levels of intensive care. The ECMO program at Emory Healthcare is the premier program in the Southeastern United States.
Ventilators use high pressure and oxygen levels, which can harm your lungs. ECMO offers the much-needed time for your body to rest and heal.