"Live a full life": How an advanced heart and lung support system called ECMO helps give critically ill patients a fighting chance. | Rush University System for Health

ECMO – extracorporeal membrane oxygenation – is a key tool in helping patients with more dire outcomes. In fact, in many cases, they're not even aware of being on the ECMO machine. Not everyone that gets ECMO is able to get information about it ahead of time, but whenever possible, we strive to make sure patients feel educated about what they’re facing. Our adult ECMO team was named a Platinum Level Center of Excellence by ELSO - Extracorporeal Life Support Organization. We spoke to UVA Health E

ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) machines are the most advanced form of life support. They take over the work of the heart and lungs to give the body time to recover. When medical emergencies left two patients fighting for their lives, ECMO expertise at UW Medicine became their bridge to survival. Ethan Noack, 20, and Kelli Gehrke, 36, are grateful, in large part because ECMO gave them a second chance. Their stories show how advanced technology paired with compassionate care can halt h