Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) is a life-saving technique used in pediatric intensive care units to provide cardiorespiratory support to critically ill children. It involves diverting blood from the venous system, oxygenating it externally, and then returning it to the arterial system, effectively bypassing the heart and lungs. This technology is often used when conventional therapies are insufficient for conditions such as cardiac arrest, severe heart failure, or certain congenital heart defects.
