Is ECMO a Ventilator?

Discover the critical differences between ECMO and ventilators and how each plays a unique role in saving lives during severe respiratory failure.
💥Is ECMO a Ventilator? [Full Guide] ➜ ➜ ➜ https://bit.ly/3SQIGOV
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ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) and mechanical ventilation are both critical care tools for patients with severe respiratory failure, but they work in fundamentally different ways. A ventilator pushes air into the lungs and relies on the lungs’ ability to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide at the alveolar level. It can fully or partially take over breathing but still depends on some lung function. ECMO bypasses the lungs entirely by circulating blood outside the body through a membrane oxygenator that removes CO₂ and adds oxygen before returning it to the patient. This allows the lungs—and sometimes the heart—to rest while underlying conditions are treated.

There are two main types: veno-venous ECMO, which supports only the lungs, and veno-arterial ECMO, which supports both heart and lungs. ECMO is highly invasive, requires specialized teams, and carries risks such as bleeding, infection, clotting, and stroke. It does not cure the underlying problem but buys time for recovery, transplant, or further treatment. In many cases, patients on ECMO also remain on a ventilator with lung-protective settings to minimize injury.

Once considered a last resort, ECMO use has expanded with advances in technology and saw wider adoption during the pandemic, especially for severe ARDS cases. It is also used in pediatric and neonatal intensive care for life-threatening conditions. Ultimately, ECMO is not a ventilator—it replaces lung function entirely when ventilation is no longer enough, serving as a bridge that can make the difference between life and tragedy in critical care.

💥Is ECMO a Ventilator? [Full Guide] ➜ ➜ ➜ https://bit.ly/3SQIGOV

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This content is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with a physician with any questions that you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you watch in this video. We strive for 100% accuracy, but errors may occur, and medications, protocols, and treatment methods may change over time.

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⏰TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - Intro
0:09 - Is ECMO a Ventilator?
0:43 - ECMO is not a ventilator.
1:13 - ECMO
2:54 - How ECMO Works
3:39 - Veno-Venous (VV)
3:51 - Veno-Arterial (VA)
4:39 - Doesn't Treat Underlying Cause
5:25 - Last-Ditch Effort
5:47 - Lifeline to Patients

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