Which of the following is a listed use of ECMO?

Which of the following is a listed use of ECMO?

• A. Severe respiratory failure
• B. Bridge to transplant
• C. Massive MI
• D. GBS

Answer: (C)

ECMO is used when both the heart and lungs are unable to keep enough blood oxygen delivery despite maximal medical therapy, providing temporary support so the patient can recover or bridge to a definitive treatment. In a massive myocardial infarction, the heart’s pumping ability collapses, causing severe cardiogenic shock. ECMO can take over circulation and oxygenation, stabilizing the patient long enough for urgent revascularization or for the myocardium to recover, which is why this scenario is listed as an ECMO use. The other listed uses fit ECMO as well: it can support severe respiratory failure by oxygenating the blood when the lungs can’t, and it can serve as a bridge to transplant for patients awaiting a donor organ. Guillain-Barré syndrome isn’t a primary ECMO indication because it’s a neurologic condition, not a reversible cardiopulmonary failure, though some patients with respiratory failure from GBS might need temporary support.

ECMO is used when both the heart and lungs are unable to keep enough blood oxygen delivery despite maximal medical therapy, providing temporary support so the patient can recover or bridge to a definitive treatment. In a massive myocardial infarction, the heart’s pumping ability collapses, causing severe cardiogenic shock. ECMO can take over circulation and oxygenation, stabilizing the patient long enough for urgent revascularization or for the myocardium to recover, which is why this scenario is listed as an ECMO use. The other listed uses fit ECMO as well: it can support severe respiratory failure by oxygenating the blood when the lungs can’t, and it can serve as a bridge to transplant for patients awaiting a donor organ. Guillain-Barré syndrome isn’t a primary ECMO indication because it’s a neurologic condition, not a reversible cardiopulmonary failure, though some patients with respiratory failure from GBS might need temporary support.