What disqualifies a patient from ECMO?

One such contraindication is the presence of severe irreversible non-cardiac organ failure that significantly limits the patient's chances of survival. For instance, patients with severe anoxic brain injury, where the brain has sustained irreversible damage due to lack of oxygen, are generally not considered suitable candidates for VA ECMO.

VA ECMO, or venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, is a life-saving medical procedure utilized in critical care settings. However, it is not suitable for all patients due to certain relative contraindications.

In addition to medical considerations, financial and logistical factors may also play a role in determining the feasibility of VA ECMO. As a highly specialized and resource-intensive procedure, VA ECMO can be expensive and requires specialized equipment and expertise.

Another relative contraindication involves irreversible cardiac failure. If the patient's cardiac failure is irreversible and options such as heart transplantation or long-term ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation are not viable, VA ECMO may not be an appropriate treatment option.

Severe aortic insufficiency is another factor that can render VA ECMO unsuitable. Aortic insufficiency refers to a condition where the aortic valve does not close properly, allowing blood to flow back into the heart chambers. In severe cases, this can lead to significant complications that may prevent the successful use of VA ECMO.