Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)
Wellstar is one of a few hospitals in Georgia that offers ECMO, a highly advanced heart and lung life support system.
Advanced Life Support Allows Lung & Heart Healing
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is a machine that can give the heart, lungs — or both — time to heal after extreme trauma, organ failure or in preparation for major surgery. This advanced technology can do the job of the heart and lungs or just the lungs so the organs can heal. ECMO does not treat specific conditions but provides the valuable time necessary for the body to get better and for other essential treatments or surgeries. Sometimes, it is also used to support a patient in need of lung or heart transplant or before implanting a left ventricular assist device (LVAD).
Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center and Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center are two of a few locations in Georgia that provide ECMO advanced life support technology and expertise. Wellstar Children's Hospital of Georgia offers ECMO to pediatric patients. Our ECMO-trained team includes:
Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center and Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center are two of a few locations in Georgia that provide ECMO advanced life support technology and expertise. Wellstar Children's Hospital of Georgia offers ECMO to pediatric patients. Our ECMO-trained team includes:
- Critical care intensivists
- Interventional cardiologists
- Advanced heart failure cardiologists
- Electrophysiologists (cardiology)
- ECMO nurse specialists
- Perfusionists who oversee our ECMO specialist nurses
- Respiratory therapists who take care of the breathing machine, or ventilator
- Pulmonologists and cardiologists, who provide the continuum of care through recovery
ELSO Award for Excellence in Life Support – Gold Level
Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center and Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center have received the Gold Level ELSO Award for Excellence in Life Support. The ELSO Excellence in Life Support Award recognizes Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS) programs worldwide that distinguish themselves by having processes, procedures and systems in place that promote excellence and exceptional care in providing ECLS to their patients. It signifies to patients and families a commitment to exceptional patient care and demonstrates to the health care community high-quality standards, specialized equipment and supplies, defined patient protocols, and advanced education of all staff members.
How ECMO works
ECMO steps in as a patient’s heart and lungs while these vital organs recover. It can be used to support either organ or both, as required.An ECMO-trained physician inserts tubes — or cannulas — into specific blood vessels. These tubes remove blood from the body to flow through the ECMO machine where an oxygenator — also known as an artificial lung — removes the carbon dioxide in the blood, and oxygen is replenished before it pumps back into the body. During this time, the heart and/or the lung are allowed to rest and recover. As they heal, these organs increasingly resume function and ECMO is weaned and discontinued.
Types of ECMO
Patients who require support only for their lungs will use VV ECMO, while those who need support for their heart go on VA ECMO.- VV ECMO takes blood from a large central vein and returns it to a large central vein.
- VA ECMO takes blood from a large central vein and returns it to a large central artery. VA supports both the lungs and the heart.
How long will ECMO continue?
Some people stay on ECMO for just a few days. Others need it for several days or weeks. The time depends on the condition and the physician’s evaluation, determining when the heart and lungs are well enough to work independently.Learn more about our highly skilled and compassionate critical care services at Wellstar.
Can I refer a patient to the Wellstar ECMO program?
Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center: Physicians interested in patient transfers for ECMO treatment to Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center may call the Transfer Center at (855) 935-5888.
Wellstar Kennestone also offers remote cannulation. This means our ECMO team travels to the patient, inserts a catheter into the blood vessel, initiates ECMO support and transports the patient to Wellstar Kennestone for continuing care.
Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center: Physicians interested in patient transfers for ECMO treatment to Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center may call the Transfer Center at (470) 793-3266.
Wellstar Children's Hospital of Georgia: For Pediatric or Neonatal ECMO transfer requests to Wellstar Children's Hospital of Georgia, providers may call the Transfer Center at (762) 375-8000 or (762) 375-5600, option 2.