ECMO (Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), is a form of mechanical life support that can assist someone whose heart or lungs or both aren't working properly. This process works through a series of devices that continuously pump blood out of your body, add oxygen, and remove carbon dioxide through an artificial lung menbrane. The blood is then pumped back into the body by the machine. In order to allow the heart and lungs to rest and recover from a severe respiratory infection, heart attack, or chest/ cardiac trauma, ECMO therapy can be extremely beneficial.