Evolution of ECMO Part 4

The story of the evolution of ECMO and its various components tells us about the thought processes of our predecessors over the past three centuries, culminating in their successful attempts in achieving cardio-pulmonary bypass technology.Part of the goal was the development of an artificial medium through which blood can exchange respiratory gases, thereby replacing the lungs for prolonged period till the repair processes can cope with gas exchange once again.This important component of ECMO contributing to the gas exchange is the Oxygenator.Initial investigations were on experimental animals and defibrinated blood till the efficacy of anti-coagulation., processed Heparin in this instance was successfully used to establish anticoagulation in the beginning of the last century.Experiments were driven by the need to perform open cardiac surgery for correcting cardiac defects by developing the combined science of cardiac surgery/ECMO.Clinicians started operating on human hearts by initiating heart-lung bypass on living subjects over the past seven decades.This chapter is a tribute to the perseverance of researchers, scientists and clinicians working collectively to alleviate human suffering and find a way to success.