Artificial intelligence-guided tools in adult ECMO: Current advancements, emerging Trends and future directions

IntroductionExtracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides life support for patients with refractory cardiac or respiratory failure. The complexity of ECMO management and associated mortality necessitates high-accuracy clinical decision-making systems. Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a potential approach to address challenges in ECMO management, from patient selection to real-time assessment and outcome prediction.ObjectiveTo synthesize the current evidence of AI application in adult ECMO, addressing predictive modelling for patient outcomes, real-time decision support systems, and complication prevention, as well as the evolving regulatory challenges governing medical AI deployment in critical care settings.MethodsA narrative literature review was conducted across PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, IEEE Xplore, and preprint servers (arXiv/medRxiv). The search strategy combined ECMO-relevant terms ("V-A ECMO", "V-V ECMO") with AI terminologies ("artificial intelligence", "machine learning", "deep learning", "digital twin"). Studies were included if they focused on adult cohorts (age ≥18 years) and were published in English between 2018 and 2025.ResultsThe review found several AI algorithms under development for different stages of ECMO therapy. AI algorithms have been developed to assist in the initiation, prognostication, complication detection, real-time control, and weaning of ECMO. However, none have been clinically translated thus far.ConclusionWhile AI for precision ECMO management is promising, several prerequisites remain unmet, including the integration of high-frequency device data, prospective external multicenter validation, and the development of robust regulatory frameworks. Securing these advances will bridge the gap between algorithm development and the clinical arena.