Many patients have been saved by ECMO when other treatments have failed, but ECMO is not a cure for the underlying illness. ECMO provides oxygen to the body until the lungs (or lungs and heart) recover. In other words, the goal of ECMO is to buy time by supporting the patient during the most critically-ill period.
For assistance in facilitating transfers to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, contact the UCLA Health Transfer Center at 310-825-0909
