U-M Health has the most ECMO experience in the world, and frequently hosts visitors from around the globe for education and training. The program was established in 1980 by one of the founding fathers of ECMO, Dr. Robert H. Bartlett.

Learn more about the history of ECMO at Michigan.

Our team is capable of instituting ECMO within minutes or, under special circumstances, traveling to referring institutions to initiate ECMO for safer transport to our center. U-M's Survival Flight air and ambulance service offers dedicated staff trained and equipped to transport these patients.

Our unparalleled experience providing ECMO therapies to children has resulted in a track record of minimizing complications and exceeding national average survival rates for children requiring ECMO support for a wide range of conditions and procedures.

We subscribe to the “patients and families first” philosophy established by the University Hospital Health System. Communication, compassion, and education are tools of the trade as we help families and friends cope with the severe illness of a loved one. 

Referral Information: To discuss potential ECMO transfer or other cardiovascular questions, referring providers can call the transfer center at 734-615-0930 to coordinate care.

The ECMO machine is connected to your body with two tubes. One tube takes your blood into the machine. The machine pumps your blood through a special filter that removes carbon dioxide. Then the machine puts oxygen into your blood and returns it to your body through the second tube.

Patients can be supported on ECMO for days to weeks, giving the heart and lungs time to recover, or until an implantable replacement or transplant becomes available.

• View ECMO Information on the U-M Health Patient Education Library (adult and pediatric)