TGH Educational Resources: ECMO 101

ECMO 101

With the biggest extracorporeal life-support (ECLS) program in Canada, you will manage many patients on ECMO during your time in the TGH ICU.  We care for venovenous (VV) and venoarterial (VA) ECMO patients. The approach to their care is very multidisciplinary with the involvement of thoracic surgeons, cardiologists specializing in advanced heart failure, perfusionists, and respiratory therapists.  

The resources below will provide you with a basic overview of ECMO as well as troubleshooting principles that may be useful on call. For residents, it is helpful to have a basic understanding of the ECMO circuit but you will not be expected to manage patients on ECMO without direct supervision from the ICU fellows and attendings. 

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