ECMO

Medical abbreviation · Cardiology

ECMO
Stands forExtracorporeal membrane oxygenation
CategoriesMedical

ECMO stands for Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, a cardiology abbreviation.

Life support that pumps blood out of the body through an artificial lung, which adds oxygen and removes carbon dioxide, then returns it. Venoarterial (VA) ECMO supports both heart and lungs in cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest, while venovenous (VV) ECMO supports the lungs alone in severe respiratory failure.

Example: Refractory cardiogenic shock after MI: peripheral VA-ECMO initiated in the cath lab.

Usage notes

Pronounced "ECK-mo." It became widely known during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic and the COVID-19 pandemic, when VV-ECMO was used for patients with severe ARDS. ECMO started during CPR is called ECPR. Complications include bleeding, clotting, limb ischemia and infection. The Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) maintains the international registry.

More cardiology abbreviations

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  • DES – Drug-eluting stent
  • DSE – Dobutamine stress echocardiogram
  • DVT – Deep vein thrombosis
  • ECG – Electrocardiogram
  • echo – Echocardiogram
  • EF – Ejection fraction
  • EKG – Electrocardiogram
  • EP – Electrophysiology
  • EPS – Electrophysiology study
  • ESC – European Society of Cardiology
  • ETT – Exercise treadmill test

See all 229 cardiology abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.