Tests and Procedures

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)

Overview Why it's done Risks How you prepare What you can expect Results

Risks

The most common risks that may occur with ECMO include:

  • Bleeding
  • Blood clot (thromboembolism)
  • Blood clotting disorder (coagulopathy)
  • Infection
  • Loss of blood in hands, feet or legs (limb ischemia)
  • Seizures
  • Stroke (part of the brain is damaged by loss of blood or by a blood vessel that bursts)

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