Ekstrakorporaalse

Ekstrakorporaalse refers to a broad category of medical procedures that involve removing blood from the body, treating it outside the body, and then returning it. The term itself is derived from Latin, meaning "outside the body." These techniques are vital for supporting patients with various organ failures or during complex surgeries.

The most common and well-known form of ekstrakorporal circulation is cardiopulmonary bypass, often called the heart-lung machine. This system takes over the function of the heart and lungs during open-heart surgery, allowing surgeons to operate on a still, bloodless heart. Blood is diverted from the body, oxygenated by an artificial lung, and then pumped back into the patient's circulation.

Another significant application is extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). ECMO serves as a temporary life support system for individuals whose lungs or heart are severely damaged and cannot perform their vital functions. It can be used in cases of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), severe heart failure, or cardiac arrest. Different configurations of ECMO exist, including veno-arterial (VA) and veno-venous (VV), each suited for specific patient needs.

Other ekstrakorporal treatments include dialysis, where blood is filtered to remove waste products and excess fluid in patients with kidney failure, and therapeutic apheresis, which involves removing specific components from the blood, such as harmful antibodies or cholesterol. The development and refinement of ekstrakorporal techniques have dramatically improved survival rates and treatment options for many critical conditions.