Extracorporeal Life-Support (ECLS) represents a widely accepted treatment modality for patients with cardiac and/or respiratory failure failing to respond to conventional medical therapy. Through the establishment of a modified cardiopulmonary bypass circuit, ECLS provides a mechanism for temporary cardiac support and gas exchange allowing patients to recover from existing life-threatening cardiac and/or lung disease. This article summarizes the current recommendations for ECLS therapy in adults, which are based on the recently published S3 guidelines entitled "Extracorporeal circulation (ECLS / extracorporeal membrane oxygenation = ECMO), use in cardiac and circulatory failure".
