Busan National University Hosts Life-Saving 'ECMO Symposium and Training'

From Hands-on ECMO Simulation to the Latest Treatment Methods
Upgrading Medical Staff Competencies

Pusan National University (President Choi Jae-won) announced on the 18th that the Biomedical Specialization Headquarters held the 'Pusan ECMO Symposium and Training Course - 2025 The BEST Winter Camp' event at the Pusan National University Hospital Glocal Clinical Demonstration Center from the 13th to the 14th, successfully concluding with enthusiastic participation and interest from attendees.

Busan National University is holding the life-saving 'ECMO Symposium and Training' and taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Busan National University

ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) is a life-support device that replaces the functions of the heart and lungs by removing blood from the patient's body, oxygenating it through an external membrane oxygenator, removing carbon dioxide from the blood, and returning it to the patient's body.

It plays a crucial role in maintaining the patient's life until the heart or lung function recovers, requiring proper management and skilled medical personnel.

This event was organized as part of Pusan National University's Glocal University project to share the latest ECMO technologies and treatment methods and to help strengthen practical skills.

More than 50 participants, including cardiovascular thoracic surgeons, nurses, and radiologists from the Busan, Ulsan, Gyeongnam region and nationwide, attended the event. On the first day, the 13th, the program began with an overview of ECMO by Professor Song Seung-hwan of Pusan National University Hospital, followed by ECMO circuits and components presented by ECMO coordinator Cho Soo-hyun from Samsung Seoul Hospital, VV ECMO (Veno-Venous ECMO) for respiratory diseases by Professor Cho Yang-hyun of Samsung Seoul Hospital, and VA ECMO (Veno-Arterial ECMO) for cardiac diseases by Professor Jung In-seok of Chonnam National University Hospital.

VV ECMO and VA ECMO are the two main types of ECMO, distinguished by where the blood is drawn from and returned to. VV ECMO (Veno-Venous ECMO) refers to venous-to-venous ECMO, and VA ECMO (Veno-Arterial ECMO) refers to venous-to-arterial ECMO.

On the second day, Professors Lee Su-jin and Song Seung-hwan from Pusan National University Hospital and Professor Ko Ryeong-eun from Samsung Seoul Hospital conducted practical training on ECMO simulation and advanced courses, covering everything from ECMO insertion and operation to troubleshooting.

Pusan National University plans to continue supporting opportunities for more medical professionals to acquire ECMO skills in the future.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.