Extracorporeal Life Support: Experience with 2,000 Patients

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (EMCO) offers a therapeutic option for moribund patients of all ages with acute pumonary or cardiac failure.  The authors present a retrospective analysis of the largest single institution experience with ECMO support, and present their perspective on the evolving use of ECMO supported by four decades of clinical results.  The authors compare outcomes of the initial 1,000 patients versus most recent group of 1,000 patients receiving ECMO support, discuss the evolving indication for this therapy, and identify factors that have resulted in improved survival in specific patient populations.