Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a form of life support used for babies, children and adults with life-threatening heart and / or lung problems.

ECMO provides time for the body to rest and recover by doing the work of the heart and lungs. This gives the patient time to rest and heal from the underlying illness.

There are two types of ECMO that may be used:

• Veno-arterial (VA) ECMO does the work of both the heart and lungs
• Veno-venous (VV) ECMO does the work of just the lungs.