ECMO: The next ten years

Extracorporeal support (ECMO) is indicated in severe heart or lung failure with 80% risk of mortality. In experienced centers, overall survival to discharge ranges from 40% in cardiac arrest (ECPR) to 70% for respiratory failure in adults, 80% in children and newborns with prolonged ECMO support, severe lung injury can recover to normal function, re-defining irreversible lung injury. In the future ECMO will be automatically controlled with care out of ICU or at home.