Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)

ECMO Care at UVM Health

ECMO is an advanced life-support treatment that temporarily takes over the work of your heart and lungs. Using a specialized machine, ECMO oxygenates your blood and returns it to your body — giving your organs time to heal.

This treatment is typically used for critically ill patients with severe reversible heart or lung failure.

At University of Vermont Health, our multidisciplinary ECMO team determines the best course of treatment to ensure patients receive seamless critical care.

Why Choose UVM Health?

As the only comprehensive ECMO program in Vermont serving patients across Vermont and northern New York, we offer:

Expert multidisciplinary care: Our team includes specialists in cardiac surgery, interventional cardiology, cardiovascular ICU, pulmonary critical care, ICU nursing, respiratory therapy, rehabilitation and perfusion.
24/7 Rapid response: Our ECMO activation system can mobilize within an hour for critically ill patients.
Advanced facilities: ECMO can be initiated in the emergency department, operating room, cardiac catheterization lab or ICU.
Regional transport capability: Our HealthNet ground transport services are specially equipped for ECMO care, ensuring access to life-saving treatment across rural areas.

Conditions We Treat

Acute heart failure
Catastrophic asthma
Heart attack
Heart or lung failure during pregnancy
Heart rhythm disorders
Pulmonary embolism
Respiratory failure from severe pneumonia, flu or COVID-19
Severe accidental hypothermia
Toxic ingestions
Trauma-related injuries

What to Expect

Most ECMO patients are critically ill and unable to make decisions. Our team works closely with families to explain the process and provide support. Whenever possible, we keep patients awake and mobile during ECMO therapy, which can:

Improve recovery
Reduce muscle loss
Lower the need for long-term rehabilitation

Patient Resources

ECMO Resource Guide for Patients and Families: Helpful guide about ECMO, your ECMO team and what to expect.

ECMO for Health Care Providers

As the only comprehensive ECMO program in Vermont serving patients across Vermont and northern New York, our multidisciplinary team can help determine the best course of treatment to ensure your patients receive seamless critical care.

Refer a Patient for ECMO

Do you think one of your patients may benefit from ECMO? Are you unsure whether ECMO is indicated? We can help you decide.

To refer a patient or inquire about possible ECMO support, please call the UVM Regional Transfer Center 24 hours a day at 1-866-648-4886 for an “ECMO Consult.”

When to Think About ECMO for Patients

Cardiogenic shock on vasopressors
- Myocardial infarction
- Massive pulmonary embolism
- Severe accidental hypothermia
- Acute poisonings
- Refractory arrythmias
- Myocarditis
- Acute decompensated heart failure
Severe acute respiratory failure despite optimal mechanical ventilation
- ARDS or unilateral pneumonia
- Status asthmaticus
- Pulmonary trauma
- Air-leak syndromes
- Inhalational injury

Who Can Call for ECMO Support?

Any physician, PA or NP caring for the patient is encouraged to call.

What to Expect When You Call for ECMO Support

Please have the information ready for a conference call with the ECMO physician(s):

Brief HPI and diagnosis
Pertinent past medical history
Vital signs
Vasoactive medication support and doses
Ventilator settings and duration of ventilator support
ABG
Recent lab results including CBC, CMP, and lactate
Most recent neurologic exam
Echocardiogram results
Whether the patient has suffered cardiac arrest recently

Awards & Certifications

Extracorporeal Life Support Organization

UVM Medical Center is a proud member of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) — a global consortium dedicated to advancing ECMO care and safety.