ECMO, short for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, functions much like a heart-lung bypass machine employed in open-heart surgeries. During ECMO treatment, the patient's blood is oxygenated by an artificial lung within the ECMO system, ensuring that the body's oxygen requirements are met until the patient's heart and lungs can resume their normal function.

Two primary types of ECMO exist: Veno-Venous (V-V) ECMO and Arterio-Venous (A-V) ECMO. Veno-Venous ECMO utilizes a single cannula, effectively incorporating two catheters into one, primarily employed in medical conditions. Arterio-Venous ECMO, on the other hand, employs two cannulas. The selection of ECMO type is contingent upon the patient's specific condition and illness.

Over time, ECMO equipment has evolved to incorporate safer and more durable materials, reducing the need for frequent circuit changes. Initially, complications such as bleeding and increased blood product requirements were common, but these have been significantly minimized. With skilled and well-trained practitioners, ECMO implementation is now safer, leading to fewer procedure-related complications.

ECMO becomes necessary when a patient faces life-threatening conditions such as severe heart failure, reversible cardiorespiratory failure, or severe lung infections. It's employed when conventional medical treatments fail to yield significant improvement. Timely initiation of ECMO is crucial, as it generally leads to better prognoses.

ECMO is an exceptional medical procedure, but its effectiveness relies on the collaborative efforts of the team. At Fortis Hospital Mulund in Mumbai, our multidisciplinary team comprises leading heart surgeons and cardiologists, backed by skilled and well-equipped staff proficient in managing critical cases of heart failure and lung infections. With the collective expertise of our staff, Fortis Hospital Mulund is recognized as a premier center in Mumbai for ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) therapy retrieval services. Our team excels in reaching critically ill patients across the city, utilizing ECMO for transport, stabilization, and treatment.

The attending physician evaluates all medical procedures to determine the suitability of ECMO on a case-by-case basis. However, individuals who have undergone brain surgery are not eligible for ECMO.