Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is a life-support technique used in critical care when a patient’s heart and/or lungs are unable to function properly. ECMO involves circulating blood outside the body through a machine that removes carbon dioxide and adds oxygen, essentially acting as an artificial lung. This allows the organs to rest and heal while maintaining oxygen delivery to vital tissues. ECMO is commonly used for patients with severe respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, or during certain heart surgeries. The process requires specialized equipment and a trained medical team, as it carries risks such as bleeding and infection. ECMO is considered a last-resort intervention when conventional treatments have failed.