ECMO Nursing Care of Adult Patients on ECMOCalhoun, Alex, RN, BSN, CCRNCritical Care Nursing Quarterly: October/December 2018 - Volume 41 - Issue 4 - p 394–398 doi: 10.1097/CNQ.0000000000000226 Original Articles Abstract Author InformationAuthors Article MetricsMetrics Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used for both cardiac and pulmonary failure when conventional measures are no longer substantial in supporting life. ECMO is not a permanent device. It is used as a temporary measure to allow the lungs and heart, as well as other organs to recover. If recovery is not possible, it may also be used as a bridge to a more permanent device such as the left ventricular assist device or heart or lung transplantation. This is a detailed description of the differences between venovenous ECMO and venoarterial ECMO and the nursing care that is associated with the two. A case study of a 37-year-old man on ECMO due to cardiogenic shock is included. Allegheny Health Network, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Correspondence: Alex Calhoun, RN, BSN, CCRN, Allegheny Health Network, Allegheny General Hospital, 320 East North Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 (Alex.calhoun@ahn.net). The author has disclosed that he has no significant relationships with, or financial interest in, any commercial companies pertaining to this article. Copyright © 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved