ECMO is a temporary mechanical support system that handles the function of the heart and/or lungs in patients with a variety of cardiac and respiratory problems. ECMO uses a pump that attaches with ...

Medically reviewed by Maria M. LoTempio, MD A heart-lung machine is a piece of medical equipment that temporarily takes over ...

“Everything had to line up perfectly,” he said. His travails did not stop when he came off the ECMO pump after five days.