ELSO 2025 Narrative Guideline on the Use of ECMO for Accidental Hypothermia

These guidelines on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are intended for educational use to build the knowledge of physicians and other health professionals in assessing the conditions and managing the treatment of patients undergoing ECMO and describe what are believed to be useful and safe practices for ECMO. Guidelines aim to help clinicians make informed decisions about their patients. However, adherence to a guideline does not guarantee a successful outcome. Healthcare professionals must make their own treatment decisions about care on a case-by-case basis, after consultation with their patients, using their clinical judgment, knowledge, and expertise. These guidelines do not take the place of the physicians' and other health professionals' judgment in the diagnosis and treatment of ECMO patients. These guidelines are not intended to and should not be interpreted as setting a standard of care or being deemed inclusive of all proper methods of care, nor exclusive of other methods of care directed at obtaining the same results. The ultimate judgment must be made by the physician, other health professionals, and the patient/patient family, considering all the circumstances presented by the individual patient, and the known variability and biologic behavior of the clinical condition. These guidelines reflect the data at the time the guidelines were prepared. The results of subsequent studies or other information may lead to revisions of the recommendations in these guidelines. In no event will ELSO be liable for any decision made or action taken in reliance upon the information provided through these guidelines.