TY - JOUR T1 - Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in adults: A practical guide for internists JF - Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine JO - Cleve Clin J Med SP - 373 LP - 384 DO - 10.3949/ccjm.83a.15021 VL - 83 IS - 5 AU - Tejaswini Kulkarni AU - Nirmal S. Sharma AU - Enrique Diaz-Guzman Y1 - 2016/05/01 UR - http://www.ccjm.org/content/83/5/373.abstract N2 - The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in adults has rapidly increased as the technology has evolved, although there is little definitive evidence that it is beneficial in this group. ECMO is now being used in acute respiratory distress syndrome (and was used extensively for this indication during the influenza H1N1 pandemic), as a bridge to lung or heart transplant, and in postcardiac arrest patients. We review the current evidence and indications for ECMO, focusing on its principles and practical aspects in adult patients with respiratory or cardiac failure. ER -