ECMO Explained

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is an advanced life support system that temporarily takes over the function of the heart and lungs when they are unable to maintain adequate oxygenation and circulation.

In ECMO, blood is diverted outside the body into an artificial lung (oxygenator), where it is enriched with oxygen and cleared of carbon dioxide. The blood is then returned to the patient, allowing the lungs and heart to rest and recover while ensuring vital organs receive sufficient oxygen supply.

ECMO Explained

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is an advanced life support system that temporarily takes over the function of the heart and lungs when they are unable to maintain adequate oxygenation and circulation.

In ECMO, blood is diverted outside the body into an artificial lung (oxygenator), where it is enriched with oxygen and cleared of carbon dioxide. The blood is then returned to the patient, allowing the lungs and heart to rest and recover while ensuring vital organs receive sufficient oxygen supply.

Why is ECMO Gaining Global Momentum?

ECMO is no longer considered an experimental therapy—it has now evolved into an essential component of critical care worldwide. The renewed interest stems from:

  • Growing awareness among intensivists and physicians in critical care units.

  • Transition from experimental to standard of care, supported by global guidelines.

  • Advances in technology, with reliable, high-quality mechanical components and standardized methods.

  • Expanding clinical applications, from traditional indications (severe ARDS, cardiogenic shock) to emerging uses such as poisoning (e.g., aluminum phosphide) and tropical illnesses.

  • Essential training opportunities that critical care professionals can no longer overlook.

ECMO at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital

Institute of Critical Care Medicine

Our ECMO trainers are all consultants in Intensive Care Medicine, combining clinical expertise with a commitment to teaching and program development.

Application Areas & Indications

ECMO offers a bridge to therapy for patients with a variety of medical conditions, including respiratory failure, ARDS, pulmonary embolism, cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest, failure to wean from bypass after cardiac surgery, or as a bridge to transplantation or placement of a ventricular assist device.

Cardiogenic Shock

ECMO has become a life-saving tool to support patients with severe and refractory cardiogenic shock, either after myocardial infarction, cardiac surgery, myocarditis or intoxication.

CPR and Cardiac Arrest

Millions suffer cardiac arrest each year with low survival, but studies show extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (eCPR) may increase survival rates in select patients.

ECMO and ARDS

Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (VV ECMO) solutions can be a resource for the care of patients with severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).

ECCO₂R and Respiratory Medicine

Extracorporeal Carbon Dioxide Removal (ECCO₂R) removes carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the blood using an extracorporeal circuit which facilitates the protection and recovery of the lungs.

ECMO patient & family support 

We encourage you to visit your loved one in line with our visitor guidelines. Even when patients are sleeping, you can talk to them, play music, or simply be a calming presence. Our integrative health programs help ease stress, and our spiritual care team is available for support. Please also remember to care for yourself with proper rest and meals to stay strong during this time.

After treatment, ongoing care may be needed, such as mechanical circulatory support or a ventilator while your loved one regains strength. The duration varies for each person, so we encourage you to speak with our medical team for more details.

ECMO Equipment at Our Centre

Our unit is equipped with state-of-the-art ECMO technology to support both training and clinical care, including:

  • Advanced ECMO consoles and circuits (e.g., Getinge, Medtronic, Maquet systems)

  • Centrifugal pumps for reliable, smooth blood flow

  • High-performance oxygenators with modern membrane technology

  • Heater-cooler systems for precise temperature control

  • A wide range of cannulae for adult and pediatric patients

  • Simulation labs and dry models for hands-on practice prior to live clinical exposure

This ensures participants gain comprehensive knowledge of ECMO initiation, monitoring, troubleshooting, and even safe patient transport on ECMO.

Our ECMO Faculty & Specialists

Led by nationally and internationally recognised intensivists, vascular surgeons, and cardiac surgeons.

Our ECMO trainers are all consultants in Intensive Care Medicine, combining clinical expertise with a commitment to teaching and program development.

  • Over a decade of ECMO experience, beginning with the first 5-day ECMO conference and workshop in 2013 at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

  • Active participation in clinical ECMO services, training, and critical care research.

  • Leadership roles in national and international ECMO societies and journals.

  • Certified ECMO practitioners and recognized educators.

Dr. B. K. Rao

Patron

Dr. Vinod K. Singh

Director, ECMO Program; India Representative, SWAC ELSO; Editor-in-Chief, Indian Journal of ECMO

Dr. Sanjeev Mittal

Co-Director, ECMO Program; President, Delhi Region ECMO Society of India; Editor, Indian Journal of ECMO

Dr. Saurabh Taneja

Coordinator, ECMO Program & IJECMO; Secretary, Delhi Region ECMO Society of India

Training & Fellowship Programs

We offer hands-on workshops, certificate courses, and ESOI-recognized fellowships to train the next generation of ECMO specialists

ECMO Training Program

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) requires specialized knowledge, technical expertise, and a multidisciplinary approach. Our training programs are designed to build competence across all aspects of ECMO management, offering specialized learning in critical care medicine. Since the early days of modern intensive care, when pioneering doctors first adapted extracorporeal techniques to save lives, ECMO training has been a vital standard for developing skilled heart–lung support teams.

12+

Years of Experience

Program Highlights

  • Core principles of ECMO, physiology, and patient selection

  • Circuit setup, priming, and initiation

  • Troubleshooting and emergency response drills

  • Simulation-based crisis management

  • Clinical observation of live ECMO cases

Who Can Enroll

  • Critical Care Physicians

  • Perfusionists

  • ICU Nurses And Respiratory Therapists

Program Options

  • Workshops: 3–5 day basic and advanced courses

  • Fellowships: 6-month Certificate Course and 12-month Fellowship (6 seats annually, through ECMO Society of India)

Fellowship Program – ECMO Society of India (ESOI)

The ECMO Society of India (ESOI) runs a structured fellowship program to develop the next generation of ECMO leaders. This advanced pathway in intensive care training has become a recognized benchmark for shaping ECMO specialists. Ever since structured programs were introduced, leaders in critical care have continued to refine this initiative — ensuring that future experts are equipped with the highest standards of knowledge and skill.

Fellowship Features

  • Long-term, competency-based training curriculum

  • Clinical rotations in high-volume ECMO centers
  • Focus on program design, leadership, and team management
  • Direct mentorship by leading experts in India and abroad
  • Certification recognized by ESOI

Graduates of the ESOI fellowship are equipped to establish, manage, and expand ECMO services across India and globally.

Our Participation in the ELSO Registry

The Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) maintains the world’s largest ECMO registry and database. Participation in the ELSO Registry connects our ECMO program with the world’s largest critical care database. It has been a benchmark for measuring outcomes and sharing global standards ever since international collaborations first formalized data-driven improvements in extracorporeal support.

Why It Matters

  • Tracks global ECMO outcomes and benchmarks

  • Promotes transparency and international quality standards

  • Supports multicenter research and protocol development

  • Helps define best practices worldwide

Our recognition in the ELSO registry reflects our commitment to transparency, continuous improvement, and alignment with international ECMO practices.

Why ECMO Training & Fellowships Matter

  • Improve patient outcomes and survival rates

  • Build skilled, confident ECMO teams

  • Standardize protocols nationally and internationally

  • Provide access to global data through ELSO

  • Shape future leaders in critical care through ESOI fellowships

200+

Alumni since 2013!

Build Your ECMO Future
Join our programs, gain international exposure, and help shape the future of critical care.