Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO)

Evolving Outcomes of ECMO Support in COVID-19
Patients: Findings from the International ELSO Registry

Ann Arbor, MI Sept. 29, 2021 The Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) announced today publication in The Lancet of a follow-up to an earlier Lancet publication examining the treatment of COVID-19 patients with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. COVID-19 patients treated with ECMO more recently had worse mortality and required support for longer.

ECMO Capacity Map

With limited availability of ECMO beds in some regions, ELSO's ECMO Availability Center Map helps determine availability. Individual ELSO centers update their own status. Always consult with your health care provider on your specific needs.

What Is Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)?

Learn all about extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, which is a common treatment in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), COVID-19, and other critical care situations. Although ECMO may not cure the patient, it gives him or her a chance to heal by giving their heart and lungs time to rest.

Join ELSO

As a member, you can contribute to and use registry data, benchmark patient outcomes, request data for research, and gain education and training. We offer three membership levels: center, corporate and individual. Learn more about the benefits and apply online

ELSO Registry

We maintain a registry of active ELSO centers that use ECMO. Registry data is used to support clinical research, regulatory agencies and individual ELSO centers who need to make decisions on patient care and treatment protocols

ECMO in COVID-19

Find resources and guidance for ELSO centers who need to manage COVID-19 patients. We update this information continuously as the scientific data evolves. Plus, check out the COVID-19 Dashboard to help you make decisions in real-time.

ELSO Award of Excellence

Our Award for Excellence in Life Support recognizes extracorporeal life support (ECLS) centers that demonstrate exceptional commitment to evidence-based processes, quality measures, staff training, continuing education, patient satisfaction and ongoing care.

ELSO Resources

Our discussion board, presentations, job listings, newsletters, guidelines, articles and other useful information help ELSO centers perform at the top of their game. We also help patients, their families and caregivers understand ECMO.

ELSO Publications

We’ve poured our original research into the comprehensive guides “Extracorporeal Life Support: The ELSO Red Book” and “ECMO Specialist Training Manual,” available in English or Spanish.

Education & Events

ELSO provides continuing education for active centers as well as for the broader medical and lay communities. Whether you want meetings, courses, workshops, online classes, hands-on simulation training or annual conferences, our educational opportunities help you stay up to date.

Get Involved

Join the discussion and foster communication and collaboration among professionals who apply advanced technologies in treating refractory organ failure.