>20

Years of experience delivering ECMO treatments to adults

>200

Adults per year have received ECMO care at NewYork-Presbyterian

1st

ECMO procedure was performed at NewYork-Presbyterian in 1982

Leaders in ECMO

NewYork-Presbyterian is a worldwide leader in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), providing exceptional care to patients with life-threatening lung or heart conditions. As one of the largest and most experienced programs in the world, we have received the highest awards from the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO), which recognizes expertise in life support. Our outcomes are among the best in the nation, with survival rates that exceed the national average.

Platinum Center of Excellence

NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center achieved the Platinum Level Center of Excellence Award, the highest recognition from ELSO.

ELSO Gold logo

NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center achieved the Gold Level Center of Excellence Award from ELSO.

Our ECMO program at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center was one of the first centers in the world to achieve the Platinum Level Center of Excellence Award, signifying that our ECMO program meets the highest standards of care. In 2021, our ECMO program at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, a first-time applicant for ELSO designation, proudly achieved the Gold Level Center of Excellence Award. In order to be recognized for these awards by ELSO, our ECMO programs had to meet rigorous requirements for program volumes, staffing structures, training and quality improvement initiatives, and patient support programs.

Innovation in ECMO

Because the ECMO programs of Columbia and Weill Cornell Medicine lead innovative clinical initiatives and research endeavors, NewYork-Presbyterian provides a cutting-edge approach to ECMO and patient management, thereby bringing our patients unprecedented access to the most advanced treatments. This advanced expertise is apparent by other institutions routinely transferring patients to NewYork-Presbyterian for ECMO support.

We have developed streamlined algorithms to deliver immediate and standardized ECMO care to patients whether they are in the ambulance or aircraft (including ECMO transport), emergency department (ED), or the intensive care unit (ICU), which means that patients receive timely, safe, and effective life-saving heart or lung care. We have led the field in developing and utilizing novel ECMO configurations to allow patients to maintain physical activity while awaiting heart or lung transplantation. Patients also have access to novel clinical trials and medications, not readily available elsewhere. NewYork-Presbyterian frequently holds education and training sessions and we are responsible for training a large number of the ECMO specialists in the United States.

ECMO Support Provides Life-Saving Care

NewYork-Presbyterian’s ECMO team provides short-term support for patients with life-threatening heart or lung conditions. The technology often buys valuable time to further assess patients, treat underlying disease, or arrange for heart or lung transplantation. We offer ECMO support for patients with the following severe heart and lung conditions including:

  • Severe respiratory failure
    • Severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
    • Status asthmaticus
    • Acute pulmonary embolism
    • Severe pneumonia
  • Cardiogenic shock
    • Post-acute coronary syndrome management
    • Acute myocarditis
    • Refractory arrhythmia
    • Valvular and advanced cardiomyopathies with cardiogenic shock
    • Massive pulmonary embolism
    • Right-sided heart failure
    • Need for escalation of biventricular support
  • Heart or lung transplant candidates
    • Sepsis/stress-induced cardiomyopathy with cardiogenic shock as bridge to recovery or durable mechanical circulatory support/heart transplantation
    • Select cases of pulmonary hypertensive crisis, post-surgical respiratory failure, and trauma circulatory support/heart transplantation

Our Team

Our top-rated, multidisciplinary ECMO team includes cardiovascular surgeons, cardiologists, pulmonologists, critical care physicians, ECMO nurses and respiratory specialists, perfusionists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, critical care paramedics, social workers, and physical therapists. We are proud to have not one, but two award-winning ECMO programs.

Individualized, around-the-clock care

NewYork-Presbyterian’s multidisciplinary ECMO team works together to customize the best care for each patient. We partner closely with you and your family while you are receiving live-saving ECMO care to determine the best course of treatment.

While you are receiving ECMO support, you will be monitored around the clock by staff to measure the blood flow and oxygen levels in the blood, as well as your heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen level, and temperature. We have the ability to provide ECMO support in any location whether it be an ambulance or aircraft (including ECMO transport), the ED, or the ICU. Physicians who would like to transfer a patient to NewYork-Presbyterian for ECMO care can contact us 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. 

1-800-NYP-STAT (1-800-697-7828)

Awards & Recognition

American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet logo

NewYork-Presbyterian has been awarded the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet, the highest national honor for nursing excellence.

Contact Us

NewYork-Presbyterian’s ECMO teams are available 24/7. To assist with immediate evaluation, physicians should contact:


NewYork-Presbyterian

Adult ECMO Program

1-800-697-7828 1-800-NYP-STAT