Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) or extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR): A critical life or death choice

Extracorporeal support such as traditional extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for patients failing to revive from in-hospital CPR with chest compressions shows promise for the future. However, a specific extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) strategy that addresses the issue of reperfusion injury is needed. While the implementation of traditional ECMO may have its good intentions, in reality, it may be the patient's engine of destruction if it does not address the morbid ramifications of reperfusion injury. This article discusses a specific extracorporeal strategy designed to address the various aspects of reperfusion injury when a patient undergoing chest compressions is placed on extracorporeal support.