ECMO program helps patients beat the odds

When medical emergencies left two patients fighting for their lives, ECMO expertise at UW Medicine became a bridge to survival. ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) machines are the most advanced form of life support. They take over the work of the heart and lungs to give the body time to rest and heal when traditional treatments are no longer enough. Ethan Noack, 20, and Kelli Gehrke, 36, are grateful, in large part because ECMO gave them a second chance. Their stories show how advanced technology paired with compassionate care can turn medical crises into recoveries. UW Medicine ECMO specialists explain why the program is considered one of the most advanced in the nation.