RESUMEN
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To summarize the results and experiences on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for post-cardiac surgery of coronary artery disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From June 2004 to November 2006, sixteen patients with the mean age of (58 +/- 11) years old undergoing cardiac surgical procedures were placed on ECMO using a heparin-bonded circuit. Fourteen patients were male and two patients were female. Thirteen patients underwent on pump coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) and three patients underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. The duration of ECMO support, stay of intensive care unit (ICU stay), complications and turnovers were recorded.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean duration of ECMO support was 51 hours, and the mean duration of ICU stay was 5 days. Thirteen patients (81.3%) were successfully weaned form ECMO, ten patients (62.5%) were discharged from hospital. The main complications were bleeding, infection, renal failure and ischemia of the lower limbs with the incidence of 18.8%, 37.5%, 25% and 18.8% respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ECMO is an acceptable technique for shortterm treatment of refractory low cardiac output after cardiac surgery of coronary artery disease.</p>