**3. Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation**

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation is an alternative method of providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation by using the ECMO device combined with CCPR in patients with CA and CS [39, 40]. ECMO takes over the function of the heart and lungs, and maintains the organ perfusion while allowing the time for heart *Overview of Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (VA-ECMO) Support… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.105838*

and lung to recover and buy some time to investigate the cause of acute deterioration, to assess and treat underlying pathology to prolong the survival while minimizing complications. However, ECPR is a complex labor-intensive intervention that requires a highly trained team, specialized equipment, and multidisciplinary support within a healthcare system, and it has the risk of life-threatening complications including vessel rupture, bleeding, and thromboembolism. Therefore, physicians should carefully select patients for ECPR who can gain the most benefit, instead of applying ECPR indiscriminately.
