ECPR: The INs and OUTs of Extracorporeal CPR

This presentation will explore the concepts behind Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, and its application in the resuscitative arena. Commonly referred to as “ECPR” or Extracorporeal Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation, blood is diverted outside of the body, passed through a pump and oxygenator, then placed directly back into the aorta; essentially acting as the patient’s heart and lungs to support resuscitative efforts. This application of ECMO is relatively new and an important concept for EMS providers to understand. Attendees of this presentation will learn how they fit into the ECPR patient’s chain of survival. Participants will explore the equipment involved, the physiological concepts behind ECPR, and the available data surrounding its use. Learners attending this presentation should be familiar with current cardiopulmonary resuscitative guidelines, and have a fundamental understanding of the cardiovascular system. No prior knowledge of ECMO/ECPR is required.