ECMO stands for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, a life support technology used to provide cardiac and/or respiratory support to critically ill patients whose heart and lungs are not functioning properly. ECMO works by removing blood from the body, oxygenating it outside of the body, and then returning it to the patient's circulatory system. This technology is typically used in cases of severe respiratory failure, cardiac failure, or cardiac arrest, and can be a lifesaving intervention for patients who are not responding to conventional treatments. ECMO requires specialized equipment, a highly trained medical team, and careful monitoring of the patient's condition. Research in the field of ECMO focuses on improving patient outcomes, refining the technology, and identifying the optimal patient selection criteria for ECMO initiation.