Objective To investigate the effects and values of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (EC-MO) used in patients after cardiac arrest. Method During five years period from June 2002 to June 2007,fifteen cases taken for cardiopulmonary resuscitation were treated by using ECMO in the emergency department and ICU. All the measures for disgnosis and treatment were observed to the guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovasculat care set by the American Heart Association in 2005, and ECMO was applied in addition. The study was a self-comparison trial. The biomarkers including heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), central venous pressure( CVP) , arterial partial oxygen pressure (PaO2), arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide ( PCQ2), oxygen saturation (SaO2), hydrogen power (PH), and concentration of lactic acid were taken and assayed before and 10 min, 1 h,6 h, 12 h, and 24 h after treatment. Differences between the results of measurements were analysed by t -test for matched pairs using SPSS version 10.0 software package. Neurological sequelae was also observed and described. Results Ten minutes after ECMO treatment, MAP rose dramatically (P < 0.01) and got to further higher level one hour later ( P < 0.05). On the other hand, CVP dropped off 10 minutes after ECMO treatment and further lowered one hour later, and PaO2 and SaO2 were improved apparently ( P < 0.01), and pH was increased significantly (P < 0.01), while a derease in concentration of arterial LA of significantly (P < 0.01). Of the 15 cases, 11 patients got well,including completely recovered without sequelae in 5,memory disorders in 2 and hemipleggia in 2 patients. Conclusions ECMO provides effective blood flow to hearts, and therefore, improves oxygenation and oxygen consumption greatly. Moreover, it provides stable oxygenated blood to brain and therefore, it is a good approach to cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation.