Central Venopulmonary Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Background and Standardized Nomenclature

This review highlights advancements in extracorporeal life support (ECLS), emphasizing the critical role of standardized terminology, particularly for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in treating right ventricular and respiratory failure. Advocating for the adoption of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) Maastricht Treaty for ECLS Nomenclature guidelines, it aims to resolve communication barriers in the ECMO field. Focusing on venopulmonary (VP) ECMO utilizing central pulmonary artery (PA) access, this review details surgical approaches and introduces a terminology guide to support effective knowledge exchange and advancements in patient care.