Veno-arterial (V-A) and Veno-venous (V-V) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support is increasingly utilized for acute cardiogenic shock and/or respiratory failure. Echocardiography and point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) play a critical role in the selection and management of these critically ill patients, however, there are limited guidelines regarding their application. This comprehensive review describes current and potential application of echocardiography and POCUS for pre-ECMO assessment and patient selection, cannulation guidance with emphasis on dual-lumen configurations, diagnosis of ECMO complications and trouble-shooting of cannula malposition, diagnosis of common cardiac or pulmonary pathologies, and assessment of ECMO weaning appropriateness including identification of the aortic mixing point in V-A ECMO.
Keywords: ARDS; ECMO; POCUS; cardiogenic shock; echocardiography; mechanical circulatory support; vascular access.