Emergency cardiopulmonary bypass: a promising rescue strategy for refractory cardiac arrest.

Emergency cardiopulmonary bypass (ECPB) has been investigated experimentally and clinically as an advanced resuscitation method that may rescue patients with refractory cardiac arrest or cardiogenic shock unresponsive to traditional medical interventions. By diverting blood flow from the patient to an extracorporeal heart and lung system capable of providing full cardiac output, ECPB can provide blood flow and gas exchange to the patient when there is not the capability of the patient’s heart or lungs to sustain these functions intrinsically. This method extends the time window for successful interventions to correct the underlying pathophysiology leading to arrest or shock.