Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is a medical technique that involves temporarily taking over the function of the heart and/or lungs in patients with severe cardiac or respiratory failure. It is used in situations where conventional therapies are not effective, such as in cases of acute respiratory distress syndrome, cardiogenic shock, or heart failure. ECLS works by removing blood from the body, oxygenating it, and then pumping it back into the patient. This process allows the heart and lungs to rest and recover while maintaining sufficient levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange in the blood. ECLS is typically used in intensive care units and cardiac surgery centers and can be a life-saving intervention for patients with critically compromised cardiac or pulmonary function. It is a complex and highly specialized form of life support that requires skilled medical staff and advanced technology to implement successfully.