ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) is a life-saving therapy that provides temporary support for patients with severe respiratory or cardiac failure. It involves the use of a machine to oxygenate the blood and remove carbon dioxide outside the body, allowing the lungs and/or heart to rest and recover. ECMO is used in critical care settings and can be deployed in various scenarios, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), cardiogenic shock, or as a bridge to lung or heart transplantation.