Meet Our Team
ECMO TEAM
ECMO Clinical Coordinator
Whitney Seals, RRT-ACCS
ECMO Team
RN ECMO Coordinator
Advanced Life Support Systems for Acute Respiratory and Cardiac Failure
ECMO stands for:
E - Extra (out of)
C - Corporeal (body)
M - Membrane (artificial lung)
O - Oxygenation
ECMO is a type of artificial life support that can help a person whose heart and/or lungs aren’t functioning correctly. It is a short-term support system that replaces or supplements the natural function of the heart and/or lungs, allowing them time to rest and potentially recover. It also provides valuable time to further assess and treat the underlying cause of the acute problem.
Although not a cure, ECMO may be a life-saving measure for patients with severe pulmonary and/or cardiac injury that is not responsive to standard forms of treatment, including mechanical ventilation and medications. Patients with severe congestive heart failure may also be candidates for ECMO as a bridge to recovery, mechanical support (ventricular assist device) or transplantation.
Erlanger is equipped with the latest VA and VV ECMO capabilities:
VA ECMO
Veno arterial (VA) ECMO is used for patients whose heart is working poorly. This type of ECMO supports the heart and lungs.
VV ECMO
Veno venous (VV) ECMO is for patients with severe lung disease. This type can be used when the lungs are not responding to treatment on the ventilator. It allows time for the lungs to heal.
For information or resources to help navigate the emotional, clinical, psychological, and spiritual needs of you or your loved one throughout the ECMO journey, contact:
Kat Brewer, BSN, RN, CCRN
RN ECMO Coordinator
[email protected]
Our ECMO Clinical Coordinator is available to assist with the referral of patients with severe acute respiratory failure who are unresponsive to standard forms of treatment, including but not limited to:
- ARDS
- Status asthmaticus
- Airway obstruction
- Massive pulmonary embolism
For questions about referral qualifications or to refer a patient for ECMO evaluation, contact:
Whitney Seals, RRT-ACCS
Respiratory ECMO/Clinical Coordinator
[email protected]
423-778-7714