These sophisticated machines assume a patient's heart and lung functions allowing these organs to heal during some critical illnesses. ECMO assumes the role of the heart and lungs by pumping blood from the heart to an artificial lung machine, which adds oxygen to the blood and then returns it to your body.
Most experienced centers base their adult selection criteria on just that - experience.
Your doctor can talk with you about specific selection criterion if necessary. Adults have the same variety of diagnoses as children. All Rights Reserved.