Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Acute Respiratory Failure

Abstract
Perfusion with a membrane lung corrects hypoxemia and hypercapnia while relieving the patient''s lungs of their primary burden of respiratory gas exchange. Relevant membrane lung technology, modes of clinical perfusion and cannulation, hemodynamic adaptation to bypass and management of hematologic problems are reviewed. Pulmonary disorders that were alleviated during bypass are discussed.