Use of extracorporeal circulation (ECLS/ECMO) for cardiac and circulatory failure. Short version of the S3 guideline

In Germany, a remarkable increase regarding the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and extracorporeal life support (ECLS) systems has been observed in recent years, with approximately 3,000 ECLS/ECMO implantations annually since 2015. Despite the widespread use of ECLS/ECMO, evidence-based recommendations or guidelines are still lacking regarding indications, contraindications, limitations and management of ECMO / ECLS patients. Therefore, in 2015, the German Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (GSTCVS) registered the multidisciplinary S3 guideline "Use of Extracorporeal Circulation (ECLS / ECMO) for Cardiac and Circulatory Failure" to develop evidence-based recommendations for ECMO/ECLS systems according to the requirements of the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (AWMF). Although the clinical application of ECMO/ECLS represents the main focus, the presented guideline also addresses structural and economic issues. Experts from 17 German, Austrian and Swiss scientific societies and a patients' organisation, guided by the GSTCVS, completed the project in February 2021. In this report we present a summary of the methodical concept and tables displaying the recommendations for each chapter of the guideline.