Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)

Your physicians may suggest the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation – or ECMO – to support your cardiac or respiratory function if you have an acute injury or illness that is reversible. It will enable your heart or lungs to recover, or extend your life while waiting for a heart or lung transplant. ECMO is not for long-term use.

Discover Our Difference

One form of ECMO temporarily takes over the work of the heart and lungs, removing blood from the right side of the heart, passing it through a special membrane to remove carbon dioxide and add oxygen, then returning it to the body on the left side of the heart. A second form of ECMO temporarily takes over the work of only the lungs, removing and returning blood to the right side of the heart.

Specialists at University of Minnesota Health Heart Care have long been pioneers in the treatment of heart diseases. Our team of intensivists, cardiologists, surgeons, ECMO specialists, nurses and other medical specialists combine advanced technologies with compassionate care to treat your condition.

Award-Winning Care

University of Minnesota Health has received the Platinum Level ELSO Award for Excellence in Life Support. This award recognizes that University of Minnesota Health promotes excellence and exceptional care in ECMO and reaches the highest level of performance, innovation, satisfaction and quality. The Extracorporeal Life Support Organization selected University of Minnesota Health for this prestigious award.