Review Article on Transportation on ECMO

The practice of transporting patients supported by Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS) has its roots in the 1970s when Dr. Robert Bartlett and his team documented the interhospital transfer of two pediatric patients.Since then, the usage of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has grown significantly.Transferring patients on ECMO or initiating ECMO at external facilities adds complexity to the already demanding process of moving critically ill patients.Moving patients on ECMO requires meticulous planning and assessment of the associated risks and benefits.This transportation can be executed via ground or air.The circuits and equipment used in mobile ECMO are generally similar to those for stationary ECMO, with specific modifications for mobile applications.Regardless of the mode of transport-ground or air-and the equipment used, the safety of the patient, transport team, and the public is the highest priority during ECMO transport.Although there is limited evidence to guide the transportation of patients on ECMO, it is advised that such transports be conducted by highly trained and experienced mobile transport teams.