What does extracorporeal CPR involve?

• A. Administering rapid high-dose medications to restart heart
• B. Performing conventional CPR only
• C. Delaying treatment to gather consent
• D. Using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) during cardiac arrest to support gas exchange and perfusion until ROSC

Answer: (D)

Extracorporeal CPR uses extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to take over heart and lung function during a cardiac arrest. By circulating and oxygenating blood outside the body, it maintains perfusion to vital organs and gas exchange while clinicians treat reversible causes or await recovery. This bridging approach is used in select, specialized centers when conventional CPR alone is unlikely to restore circulation quickly.

The other ideas describe different approaches or actions that aren’t what extracorporeal CPR entails. ECMO-based support is about providing temporary, external circulation and oxygenation, not just rapid drug administration, not limited to manual chest compressions, and it shouldn’t be delayed for consent.