ECMO for Adults with Severe Respiratory Failure.

The technology to provide Extracorporeal Life Support (ELS) has existed for over four decades. Its use has increased markedly in the last decade, initially in response to severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) in adults during the 2009 H1N1 influenza epidemic and continuing with the increasing acceptance of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) for the treatment of severe respiratory failure in adults from other causes.1 We highlight the use of ECMO, particularly at our institution.