A Landmark Case in ECMO-Supported Bridge-to-Transplant Care
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has always been a therapy defined by its ability to buy time; time for a heart to recover, for lungs to heal, or for a transplant to become possible. But a recently published case report from Northwestern Medicine introduces a new way of buying time — one that has only been attempted a handful of times […]
Beyond VV and VA: Targeted Ventricular Support in ECMO
For many clinicians, ECMO begins and ends with two familiar configurations: veno-venous (VV) for respiratory failure and veno-arterial (VA) for cardiopulmonary collapse. In practice, however, not every patient fits cleanly into those categories. As ECMO programs have matured, cannulation strategies have evolved to address more specific hemodynamic problems—particularly isolated right or left ventricular failure, inadequate ventricular unloading, or mixed […]
5 Lessons from 50+ ECMO Programs: What We’re Bringing to Bridging Life 2026
Building an ECMO program looks different on paper than it does in practice. After years of supporting program launches across the country, we’ve learned that success often hinges on factors that aren’t always obvious at the outset. With the Bridging Life Critical Care Symposium coming up next week in Houston, we’ve been connecting with hospital […]
New Research Raises Questions About Transfusion Thresholds in VA-ECMO Patients
A recent study suggests liberal transfusion strategies may offer early survival benefits—but don’t change your practice just yet. If you manage VA-ECMO patients, you’re probably following a transfusion protocol: whether it’s your institution’s order set, your program’s algorithm, or your attending’s preference. The threshold might be 7 g/dL, 8 g/dL, 9 g/dL, or somewhere in […]
A New Window Into the Brain: Ultra-Low-Field MRI for ECMO Patients
Neurological complications remain one of the most devastating challenges in ECMO care. Despite advances in monitoring technology, detecting acute brain injuries early enough to intervene has remained frustratingly difficult. However, portable MRI technology is changing what’s possible at the bedside, offering ECMO patients access to imaging that was previously difficult or out of reach. The […]
How Respiratory Season Impacts ECMO Demand—And How to Prepare Your Program
Every fall, cardiovascular program leaders face the same challenge: respiratory season is coming, ECMO demand will surge, but the timing and volume remain impossible to predict. This year, with overlapping flu, RSV, and COVID-19 circulating simultaneously, the pressure on ECMO programs has intensified—and so has the strain on the teams that support them. For hospitals […]
Verticalization: The Bridge to Mobilizing ECMO Patients
Want to learn how to implement these mobilization strategies in your ECMO program? Join us January 20-21, 2026 for our hands-on ECMO Collaborative Care and Mobilization Simulation Course in Murfreesboro, TN. Register here. __________ For decades, patients on ECMO faced a predictable fate: deeply sedated, paralyzed, intubated, and bed-bound. These were patients in profound cardiogenic […]
What’s the Difference Between ECLS and ECMO?
ECLS (Extracorporeal Life Support) and ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) are terms often used interchangeably in clinical settings—but they’re not exactly the same. ECMO is the most common form of ECLS, providing temporary heart and lung support through membrane oxygenation. This blog breaks down the history, terminology, and configurations behind both terms, helping clinicians, educators, and program leaders understand how they fit into modern critical care. We also clarify how ECLS/ECMO differs from ECPR and why it matters for training and protocol development.
Integration Health Acquires ECMO Advantage to Expand Nationwide Access to Life-Saving ECMO Services
Integration Health has acquired ECMO Advantage, strengthening its position as the leading national provider of ECMO, perfusion, and transplant support services. The combined platform now supports over 55 hospitals across 22 states, offering 24/7 ECMO staffing, program development, education, and transport services. This strategic acquisition expands access to critical care solutions and reinforces Integration Health’s commitment to clinical excellence and operational readiness.
Why Every ICU Should Invest in Ongoing ECMO Education
ECMO is one of the most complex, high-stakes therapies in critical care—and its success hinges on more than technology. This article explores why ICU teams must invest in ongoing ECMO education to maintain clinical readiness, combat skill decay, and ensure patient safety. Learn how simulation, online modules, and bedside mentorship work together to create confident, competent ECMO teams.