ECMO & ICU Glossary
Navigating the ICU and ECMO can feel overwhelming, especially with so many unfamiliar terms. This glossary is designed to empower you with clear, simple explanations of the medical language you might encounter. Whether you're a patient, family member, or caregiver, we hope this guide brings clarity and comfort during a challenging time. Each term is explained in plain English, with pronunciation help and emoji icons to make learning easier. This is your companion as you walk through one of life’s most critical moments — we’re here to help you feel informed, confident, and supported.
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A
ACT (Activated Clotting Time)
🧪 ay-see-tee
A bedside test that checks how long it takes for blood to clot. Used to monitor blood thinners and avoid clots in the ECMO circuit.
ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome)
🫁 ar-dz
A serious lung condition where fluid fills the lungs, making breathing hard. Often a reason someone may need ECMO.
A-line (Arterial Line)
💉 ay-line
A small tube placed in an artery, usually in the wrist. Used to check blood pressure and draw blood easily.
ABG (Arterial Blood Gas)
🧪 ay-bee-jee
A test that measures oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH levels in the blood. Helps guide ECMO and ventilator settings.
Anticoagulant
💊 an-tee-co-AG-you-lant
A medication that prevents blood clots. Examples include heparin and bivalirudin.
Anoxic Brain Injury
🧠 uh-NOX-ick
Brain injury caused by a lack of oxygen. May happen after cardiac arrest or severe respiratory failure.
Afterdrop
❄️ af-ter-drop
A further drop in body temperature after rewarming. Watched closely after hypothermia treatment.
Air Embolism
🫧 air EM-boh-lizm
A dangerous condition where air enters the bloodstream. Can block blood flow and cause serious complications.
B
Bicarb (Bicarbonate)
🧪 BYE-karb
A substance that helps correct acid in the blood. Sometimes given during ECMO when the body becomes too acidic.
Bleeding
🩸 BLEE-ding
A common ECMO complication due to blood thinners. Watched closely, especially around cannula sites.
Blood Culture
🧪 bluhd KUL-chur
A test to check for infections in the blood. Important if a patient has a fever or signs of sepsis.
Blood Flow (ECMO Flow)
💓 bluhd floh
The amount of blood moving through the ECMO circuit each minute. Higher flow = more support.
Bivalirudin
💊 bye-VAL-uh-roo-din
A blood thinner used in some ECMO patients instead of heparin. It may reduce the risk of clots or bleeding.
Bridge to Transplant
🏥 brij too TRANS-plant
Using ECMO to keep a patient alive while waiting for a heart or lung transplant.
Barotrauma
💥 BAIR-oh-traw-muh
Lung injury caused by high pressure from a ventilator. Can lead to collapsed lungs or other complications.
C
Cannula
🧯 CAN-you-lah
A large tube placed in blood vessels to connect to ECMO. One takes blood out, the other puts it back in.
Circuit
🔁 SIR-kit
The tubing, pump, and oxygenator system of ECMO. Blood flows through this “external lung.”
Clot
🩸 klot
A clump of thickened blood. Can block ECMO flow or cause serious complications.
CO₂ (Carbon Dioxide)
🌫️ see-oh-too
A waste gas the body needs to get rid of. ECMO can help remove it when lungs can't.
CRRT (Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy)
💧 see-ar-ar-tee
A gentle form of dialysis used in ICU patients. Often needed when kidneys stop working.
Central Line
💉 SEN-tral line
A long IV tube in a big vein. Used to give medications and draw blood in the ICU.
Chest Tube
🧽 chest toob
A tube placed in the chest to remove air, blood, or fluid from around the lungs. Helps the lungs expand properly.
D
D-dimer
🧪 dee-DYE-mer
A lab test that checks for clot formation or breakdown. Often elevated in patients on ECMO.
Decannulation
🗓️ dee-CAN-you-lay-shun
Removing the ECMO cannulas. Means the patient no longer needs ECMO support.
Delirium
🧠 duh-LEER-ee-um
Temporary confusion or disorientation. Common in the ICU and often reversible.
Dobutamine
💊 doe-BYOO-tuh-meen
A medicine that helps the heart pump stronger. Used for low blood pressure or weak heart function.
Drips (IV Drips)
💉 drips
Constant IV medicines given by a pump. Can include sedatives, blood pressure meds, or blood thinners.
Differential Hypoxia
🫀 DIFF-er-EN-shul hy-POX-ee-uh
A situation during VA ECMO where different body parts get different oxygen levels. Can lead to low brain oxygen if not corrected.
E
ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation)
🫁 ek-moh
A machine that helps the heart and/or lungs by taking over their function. It adds oxygen to blood and removes carbon dioxide outside the body.
ECPR (Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)
❤️ ee-see-pee-ar
Emergency ECMO started during CPR if the heart stops. Gives time to treat the cause while supporting the body.
Echocardiogram (Echo)
🩺 eh-ko-CAR-dee-oh-gram
An ultrasound of the heart. Shows how well the heart is pumping and if ECMO is needed.
EEG (Electroencephalogram)
🧠 ee-ee-jee
A test that checks brain activity using small sensors on the head. Used to detect seizures or brain function in sedated patients.
Electrolytes
🧂 ee-LEK-tro-lites
Minerals like sodium, potassium, and calcium. Needed for heart rhythm, nerves, and fluid balance.
Extubation
🫁 eks-too-BAY-shun
Removing the breathing tube when someone can breathe on their own again. A major milestone in ICU recovery.
F
FiO₂ (Fraction of Inspired Oxygen)
🌬️ eff-eye-oh-too
The percent of oxygen a person receives through a ventilator or ECMO. 100% is pure oxygen; room air is 21%.
Flow (ECMO Flow)
💓 floh
How much blood the ECMO circuit is pumping per minute. Measured in liters per minute to guide support levels.
Fluid Overload
🫗 floo-id OH-ver-lohd
When the body holds too much fluid, causing swelling or lung issues. Treated with diuretics or dialysis.
Foley Catheter
🛁 foh-lee KATH-uh-ter
A tube in the bladder that drains urine. Helps monitor kidney function and fluid levels.
Functional Status
🧍 FUNK-shun-al STAY-tus
How well someone can move, think, and care for themselves. Tracked before and after ECMO to guide rehab.
G
GCS (Glasgow Coma Scale)
🧠 gee-see-ess
A score that measures how alert someone is. Ranges from 3 (deep coma) to 15 (fully awake).
G-tube (Gastrostomy Tube)
🍽️ gee-toob
A feeding tube placed directly into the stomach. Used when someone can’t eat by mouth.
Glucose
🍬 gloo-kose
Blood sugar that gives the body energy. Kept in a safe range to support healing.
Genetic Condition
🧬 jeh-NET-ick con-DISH-un
A health issue someone is born with. May affect how they respond to illness or ECMO.
H
Heparin
💉 HEP-er-in
A blood thinner used to prevent clots during ECMO. Dosed carefully and monitored with blood tests.
Hypoxia
🫁 hy-POX-ee-uh
Low oxygen in the body or brain. A key reason someone may need ECMO.
Hypothermia (Therapeutic)
❄️ hy-po-THER-mee-uh
Cooling the body to protect the brain. Used after cardiac arrest, sometimes with ECMO.
Hypercapnia
🌫️ hy-per-CAP-nee-uh
Too much carbon dioxide in the blood. Can cause sleepiness or confusion if untreated.
Heart Failure
❤️ hart FAYL-yer
When the heart can’t pump enough blood. VA ECMO may be needed for support.
Hematocrit
🧪 hee-MAT-oh-krit
The percent of blood made up of red blood cells. Helps track anemia or blood loss.
Hallucination
🌀 ha-loo-sin-AY-shun
Seeing or hearing things that aren’t there. Common in ICU patients with delirium.
Hand Hygiene
🧼 hand HYE-jeen
Washing hands to prevent infection. One of the most important ways to protect ICU patients.
Healthcare Team
Perfusionist
👨🔬 per-FYOO-zhun-ist
A specialist who runs the ECMO machine. They monitor flow, pressures, and the oxygenator 24/7.
Intensivist
🩺 in-TEN-sih-vist
A doctor who specializes in critical care medicine. They oversee the patient’s overall care in the ICU.
ECMO Specialist
🫁 ek-moh SPESH-uh-list
A nurse or perfusionist with advanced training in ECMO management. They troubleshoot the circuit and ensure it’s working properly.
Respiratory Therapist (RT)
🌬️ res-pih-RAH-tor-ee ther-uh-pist
A healthcare professional who manages the ventilator and helps with breathing treatments.
Nephrologist
💧 neh-FRAHL-oh-jist
A doctor who specializes in kidney care. They manage dialysis and kidney-related issues.
Palliative Care Team
🌿 PAL-ee-uh-tiv kair team
A team that focuses on comfort, goals of care, and family support. They help with decision-making in complex ECMO cases.
Physical Therapist (PT)
🏋️ FIZ-ih-kul ther-uh-pist
A specialist who helps patients regain strength and mobility, even while on ECMO.
Social Worker
🤝 SOH-shul WUR-ker
A professional who provides emotional support, helps with resources, and assists with discharge planning.
I
ICU (Intensive Care Unit)
🏥 eye-see-you
A hospital unit for the sickest patients. ECMO patients are always cared for in the ICU.
Intubation
🫁 in-too-BAY-shun
Putting a tube into the windpipe to help someone breathe. Most ECMO patients are intubated.
INR (International Normalized Ratio)
🧪 eye-en-are
A blood test that checks clotting time. Used with blood thinners like warfarin or heparin.
Infusion Pump
🖥️ in-FYOO-zhun pump
A machine that gives medicine through an IV. Used to control drips like sedation and blood pressure meds.
IV (Intravenous Line)
💧 eye-vee
A tube placed into a vein to give fluids or medicine. ICU patients often have several IVs.
Ischemia
🧊 iss-KEE-mee-uh
When blood flow to part of the body is too low. Can cause serious damage if not fixed.
J
Junctional Rhythm
🫀 JUNK-shun-uhl RITH-um
A heart rhythm starting near the AV node. May happen after surgery or in critically ill patients.
Jugular Vein
🧍 JUG-yoo-lar vane
A large neck vein used for ECMO cannulas or central lines.
K
Ketamine
💊 KEH-tuh-meen
A sedative used in the ICU. Can help keep blood pressure stable.
Kidney Function
💧 KID-nee FUNK-shun
How well the kidneys clean blood and balance fluids. Dialysis may be used if kidneys fail.
Kangaroo Care
🦘 KANG-uh-roo kair
Skin-to-skin contact between baby and parent. Sometimes possible even during ECMO with help.
L
Lactate
🧃 LAK-tate
A chemical that rises when the body lacks oxygen. Tracked to see if ECMO is helping.
Left Heart Decompression
🧯 left hart dee-com-PRESH-un
Relieves pressure in the heart during VA ECMO. Protects the lungs and heart from damage.
LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device)
⚙️ el-vad
A mechanical pump that helps a weak heart. Sometimes used instead of ECMO or after it.
Liver Enzymes
🧫 LIV-er EN-zimes
Blood tests that show liver health. Checked often in ICU and ECMO patients.
Line Infection
🦠 line in-FEK-shun
An infection where a central line enters the body. Prevented with careful cleaning and monitoring.
Level of Consciousness
🧠 LEV-uhl of CON-shuss-ness
How awake and aware someone is. Assessed often in ICU care.
M
MAP (Mean Arterial Pressure)
🩺 em-ay-pee
The average pressure in the arteries during one heartbeat. Used to check if blood is reaching the brain and organs.
Mechanical Ventilation
🫁 meh-KAN-ih-kul ven-till-AY-shun
A machine (ventilator) helps a person breathe. Often used before or during ECMO.
Metabolic Acidosis
🧪 meh-tuh-BAH-lik ass-id-OH-sis
When the body is too acidic due to poor oxygen or kidney failure. Can be treated with bicarbonate and ECMO.
Milrinone
💊 MIL-rih-known
A medication that helps the heart pump more effectively. Used in heart failure or shock.
Mobilization
🧍 mo-bill-eye-ZAY-shun
Helping patients move while still in the ICU. Improves strength, recovery, and outcomes — even on ECMO.
N
Neuromuscular Blockade
🛌 nur-oh-MUSS-kyoo-lar BLAH-kade
A medication that causes temporary paralysis. Used with sedation to allow healing or prevent movement during ECMO.
Nitric Oxide (iNO)
🌬️ NIGH-trick OX-side
A gas that opens blood vessels in the lungs. Improves oxygen levels during severe lung failure.
Nutrition (Enteral or Parenteral)
🥣 new-TRISH-un
Food given through a tube (enteral) or IV (parenteral). Supports healing when a patient can't eat normally.
Nephrology
💧 neh-FRAHL-oh-jee
The branch of medicine focused on the kidneys. Nephrologists help manage dialysis in ECMO patients.
O
Oxygenator
🫁 ox-ih-JEN-ay-tor
The “artificial lung” in the ECMO circuit. Adds oxygen and removes carbon dioxide from the blood.
Oxyhemoglobin
💉 ox-ee-HEE-moh-gloh-bin
Hemoglobin in red blood cells that is carrying oxygen. Tells us how well oxygen is being delivered.
Oxygen Index (OI)
📊 OX-ih-jen IN-dex
A number used to show how bad someone’s lung failure is. Helps decide if ECMO might be needed.
Organ Perfusion
💓 OR-gun per-FYOO-zhun
How well blood is reaching organs like the brain and kidneys. A key goal of ECMO is to improve perfusion.
P
Palliative Care
🌿 PAL-ee-uh-tiv kair
A team that focuses on comfort, goals of care, and family support. They can help with decision-making in complex ECMO cases.
PEEP (Positive End-Expiratory Pressure)
🌬️ peep
A ventilator setting that keeps lungs open between breaths. Important in ARDS and ECMO management.
Percutaneous Cannulation
🧷 per-kyoo-TAY-nee-us can-you-LAY-shun
Placing ECMO tubes through the skin using a needle and guidewire. Less invasive than open surgery.
Perfusionist
👨🔬 per-FYOO-zhun-ist
A specialist who runs the ECMO machine. They monitor flow, pressures, and the oxygenator 24/7.
Platelets
🩸 PLATE-lets
Blood cells that help stop bleeding. Watched closely on ECMO due to clot and bleeding risks.
Q
QT Interval
🫀 cue-tee IN-ter-val
A part of the heart rhythm seen on an EKG. Long QT can lead to dangerous arrhythmias.
Quaternary Care Center
🏥 KWAW-ter-nair-ee kair sen-ter
A hospital with advanced treatments like ECMO and transplants. Patients may be transferred here for specialized care.
R
Recovery
💪 reh-KUV-er-ee
The process of healing after critical illness. May take weeks or months after ECMO.
Renal Failure
💧 REE-nal FAYL-yer
Kidney failure requiring dialysis. Common in ICU patients on ECMO.
Respiratory Failure
🫁 RES-pih-rah-tor-ee FAYL-yer
When the lungs can’t get oxygen or remove CO₂. Often treated with ventilators or ECMO.
RRT (Respiratory or Renal Replacement Therapy)
🔄 ar-ar-tee
Can mean respiratory therapy or continuous dialysis. Both support the body during ECMO.
Rounds (Medical Rounds)
🩺 rowndz
The daily team discussion at the bedside. Families may attend and ask questions.
S
Sedation
😴 seh-DAY-shun
Medicine to keep patients calm or asleep. Carefully adjusted during ECMO.
Sepsis
🦠 SEP-sis
A life-threatening reaction to infection. Can lead to organ failure and need for ECMO.
Shock
⚡ shahk
When the body doesn’t get enough blood flow. Often treated with fluids, meds, or ECMO.
Sweep (Sweep Gas)
🌬️ sweep
The ECMO setting that controls CO₂ removal. Acts like a dial for artificial lungs.
SpO₂ (Oxygen Saturation)
🫁 ess-pee-oh-too
Shows how much oxygen is in the blood. Watched closely on the monitor.
Steroids
💊 STAIR-oydz
Medicines that reduce inflammation. Used in ARDS, shock, or certain illnesses.
Stroke
🧠 strohk
When blood flow to part of the brain is blocked. A rare but serious complication of ECMO.
T
Tracheostomy (Trach)
🫁 tray-kee-OSS-tuh-mee
A breathing tube placed through the neck. Helps long-term breathing support and comfort.
Tachycardia
❤️ tak-ih-KAR-dee-uh
A fast heart rate. May be treated if it causes problems.
Tidal Volume
🌬️ TYE-dul VOL-yoom
The amount of air moved in and out of the lungs with each breath. Set on the ventilator to protect the lungs.
Transfusion
🩸 trans-FYOO-zhun
Giving blood or blood products through an IV. Needed if there is bleeding or anemia.
Trial-off (ECMO Trial-off)
🧪 TRY-uhl off
A test where ECMO is turned off temporarily. Used to check if the patient is ready to come off.
U
Ultrasound
🖥️ ULL-truh-sownd
A test using sound waves to see inside the body. Used to guide cannulas or assess heart and lungs.
Unfractionated Heparin
💉 un-FRACK-shuh-nay-tid HEP-er-in
The standard form of heparin given by IV. Requires regular blood monitoring.
Urinometer
💧 yur-IN-oh-mee-ter
A device that measures urine output. Used to monitor kidney function.
V
VA ECMO (Venoarterial ECMO)
❤️ vee-ay ek-moh
Supports the heart and lungs. Returns blood into an artery to help circulation.
VV ECMO (Venovenous ECMO)
🫁 vee-vee ek-moh
Supports only the lungs. Blood is returned to a vein.
Ventilator
🫁 VEN-till-ay-tor
A machine that helps someone breathe. Often used before and during ECMO.
Vasopressors
💉 VAY-so-press-ers
Medicines that raise blood pressure. Used in shock or low-perfusion states.
VAP (Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia)
🦠 vap
A lung infection that develops while on a ventilator. Prevented with special care techniques.
W
Wake-up Trial
🛏️ WAYK-up try-uhl
Stopping sedation briefly to assess brain function. Carefully done to check alertness.
Weaning
🌀 WEE-ning
Slowly lowering machine support as the patient improves. Happens with ECMO, ventilation, and drips.
Whiteout (Chest X-ray)
🩻 WHITE-out
When both lungs look completely cloudy on an X-ray. Seen in severe ARDS or fluid-filled lungs.
X
X-ray
🩻 eks-ray
An imaging test to look at bones and organs. Used daily to check lungs and cannula placement.
Y
Young Adult ECMO
👶 yuhng uh-DULT ek-moh
Refers to ECMO care for teens and people in their 20s. Often has different goals or risks than pediatric or adult care.
Y-site (IV Line Y-Connector)
🔀 why-site
A Y-shaped connector on an IV line. Lets multiple meds be given through one line.
Z
Zeroing (Transducer Zeroing)
🎯 ZEER-oh-ing
Calibrating ICU monitors to get accurate readings. Done on devices like A-lines and central lines.
Zinc
🧂 zingk
A mineral that helps the body heal. Sometimes included in ICU nutrition plans.
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