The History of Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) : From Start to COVID

The history of extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) reflects a true medical success story that has been the result of tremendous dedication, perseverance, teamwork, and years—if not decades—of hard work by countless providers, students, and advocates. This book, the final in a series of three on ECMO, traces the history of extra-corporeal support from the early years when therapy was offered as a last attempt at salvaging those patients who had lost almost all hope of survival, to the modern era and the role of ECMO in the contemporary management of critically ill patients, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The chapters illustrate how the technical aspects of ECMO have evolved, as well as the growing role of patient selection and team-based management. Although the role of ECMO for COVID-19 is still evolving, the chapters addressing this topic can serve as a foundation for the many complex systematic issues, beyond just the bedside care of ECMO patients, that must be acknowledged. Jorge Agustin Nicolas Ruiz de Santayana y Borras, also known as George Santayana, has been credited with the quote: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” [George Santayana (1905) Reason in Common Sense, p. 284, volume 1 of The Life of Reason] a concept that clearly resonates with those involved in ECMO program development, patient selection and management. As such, the primary goal of this text is to help scholars of all levels better understand where we have been and where we are going.


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