ECMO Emergencies

The podcast addresses the critical topic of ECMO emergencies, emphasizing the increasing importance of ECMO as a therapeutic option for critically ill patients. Dr. Waqas Akhtar, lead author of the British Society's Guideline on the Management of Emergencies in Patients on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, provides insights into recognizing cardiac arrest, organizing team responses, and early ECMO troubleshooting. A core principle highlighted is the necessity of two distinct teams: one focused on the patient, following advanced life support principles, and another dedicated to the ECMO machine itself. The discussion covers the differences in managing VA ECMO versus VV ECMO, particularly regarding the recognition of cardiac arrest. The importance of training and simulation to prepare medical staff for ECMO emergencies is also stressed.