Initiation and management of adult veno-arterial extracorporeal life support

Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) for patients suffering from acute cardiopulmonary collapse is the penultimate therapy to provide hemodynamic stability. Although it can be a life sustaining as well as life-saving therapy, there are important factors that contribute to its success. In this review, we will describe the indications, management, pitfalls and limitations of ECLS.