Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Market Size & Trends Research [2033]

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Market Overview

The Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Market size was valued at USD 315.66 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 421.41 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 3.2% from 2025 to 2033.

The extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) market is expanding swiftly, propelled by the rising prevalence of respiratory and cardiac conditions. In 2023, more than 180,000 ECMO procedures were carried out worldwide, compared to 154,000 in 2021. Over 4,500 ECMO units are currently operational globally, with more than 2,100 located in North America alone. The United States leads with over 1,200 ECMO centers. In pediatric cases, ECMO use rose by 30% in Asia-Pacific, particularly in China and India, where over 400 hospitals now offer neonatal ECMO.

The veno-venous ECMO modality accounts for 62% of total procedures globally, primarily used for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and severe pneumonia. In Germany, 95% of tertiary-care hospitals are equipped with ECMO capabilities. Technological integration is also advancing, with over 140 specialized cardiac centers globally now using AI-based monitoring systems and portable ECMO units for patient transport.

Key Findings

DRIVER: Increasing incidence of severe cardiac and respiratory conditions requiring life support interventions.

COUNTRY/REGION: The United States leads with over 1,200 ECMO centers operating nationwide.

SEGMENT: Veno-Venous ECMO remains dominant, constituting more than 62% of total ECMO procedures performed globally in 2023.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Market Trends

The ECMO market is undergoing significant transformation due to innovation in device miniaturization, real-time monitoring, and increasing clinical applications. In 2023, over 95 new ECMO centers were established globally. Among these, 58 were in Asia-Pacific, 22 in Europe, and 15 in Latin America. The growing demand for portable ECMO units led to a 41% increase in mobile ECMO deployments, now available in 370 hospitals worldwide.

Adoption of AI-assisted diagnostics in ECMO monitoring has grown rapidly, with more than 180 hospitals globally integrating predictive algorithms to monitor blood oxygenation, flow rate, and pressure variations. In the United States, over 500 institutions now employ ECMO for COVID-19-related complications, with ARDS accounting for 65% of all indications.

Additionally, advancements in polymer-based oxygenators have improved the membrane lifespan from 4 days to 7.2 days on average. This improvement reduces the frequency of device replacements and overall procedure costs by 18%. The demand for dual-modality ECMO systems (combined veno-arterial and veno-venous capabilities) increased by 28% in 2023. Also, more than 90 ECMO training and certification programs were launched globally in the past year, with over 12,000 specialists trained.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Market Dynamics

Market dynamics refer to the continuous and interrelated factors that influence the growth, behavior, and evolution of the Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) market. These dynamics are driven by internal and external forces such as clinical needs, technological innovations, policy shifts, demographic trends, and infrastructure development.

In the ECMO market, dynamics encompass drivers (e.g., increasing incidence of respiratory and cardiac failure), restraints (e.g., high cost of equipment and maintenance), opportunities (e.g., expansion into air-ambulance and emergency care services), and challenges (e.g., lack of trained professionals and operational infrastructure). These elements collectively shape the direction, pace, and scale of market development across different geographies and application areas. Understanding these dynamics helps stakeholders make informed investment, development, and operational decisions in the ECMO ecosystem.

DRIVER

Rising incidence of cardiac and respiratory disorders

The growing global burden of heart failure, pneumonia, and ARDS is a major factor fueling demand for ECMO. In 2023, over 17 million deaths were attributed to cardiovascular diseases globally, with 650,000 in the United States alone. ARDS affected 3 million people globally, including 250,000 severe cases requiring ventilatory support. ECMO is increasingly being adopted in intensive care units where conventional therapies fail, especially for neonates and patients with septic shock. Hospitals in France, Japan, and South Korea report ECMO usage in more than 40% of patients with refractory cardiac failure. Government support and public awareness campaigns, especially in Asia-Pacific, are also aiding rapid market penetration.

RESTRAINT

High procedural and equipment costs

Despite its life-saving potential, ECMO therapy remains prohibitively expensive. The average cost of an ECMO procedure in the United States is between $20,000 and $35,000, depending on duration and complications. Equipment acquisition costs can exceed $150,000 per ECMO machine, with disposable components adding an additional $4,000 to $7,000 per patient. This has limited ECMO access primarily to tertiary care centers. In low-income nations, fewer than 8% of hospitals can afford ECMO technology. Additionally, maintenance and specialized staffing further inflate operational costs, creating barriers for widespread adoption.

OPPORTUNITY

Expansion in emerging markets and pediatric applications

Emerging economies are witnessing growing investments in critical care infrastructure. In India, over 120 new ECMO-capable ICUs were announced in 2023. China reported a 33% increase in ECMO installations in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. Pediatric applications are also expanding, with over 60% of ECMO interventions in Japan conducted for neonatal and congenital heart conditions. New government health initiatives in Brazil, Mexico, and Indonesia now include ECMO in critical care funding schemes. Further, training collaborations between manufacturers and academic institutions have produced over 8,000 ECMO-trained clinicians since 2022.

CHALLENGE

Shortage of skilled professionals

The complexity of ECMO operation demands highly trained perfusionists and intensivists. As of 2023, there are only 9,000 certified ECMO specialists worldwide, with 70% based in North America and Europe. In Africa, fewer than 150 specialists are trained in ECMO operation. The learning curve, coupled with limited access to training programs in developing regions, has slowed adoption. Moreover, managing ECMO complications like clot formation, hemolysis, and oxygenator failure requires constant vigilance and expertise. Workforce shortage remains a critical barrier despite increasing equipment availability.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Market Segmentation

The ECMO market is segmented based on type and application. The type segment includes veno-arterial, arterio-venous, and veno-venous systems. Applications include respiratory, cardiac, and extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR).

By Type

Veno-Arterial (VA) ECMO: Veno-Arterial (VA) ECMO is used for both cardiac and respiratory failure. In 2023, over 38,000 procedures were performed globally using VA-ECMO. The United States accounted for 40% of these. VA-ECMO provides cardiopulmonary support during cardiac arrest and post-cardiotomy shock, with over 700 hospitals in North America deploying this type.
Arterio-Venous (AV) ECMO: Arterio-Venous (AV) ECMO is used mainly for liver dialysis and less commonly in general practice. It accounts for less than 5% of ECMO usage. AV systems are increasingly applied in multi-organ failure patients, with Germany and Switzerland showing higher uptake.
Veno-Venous (VV) ECMO: Veno-Venous (VV) ECMO dominates with over 110,000 procedures in 2023. This system is primarily used in ARDS and pneumonia. China and Japan performed over 25,000 VV-ECMO procedures, showing significant growth in respiratory cases.

By Application

Respiratory: Respiratory support remains the most common application, with over 60% of total ECMO cases globally. ARDS, COVID-19, and severe pneumonia are key indications.
Cardiac: Cardiac cases accounted for approximately 25% of ECMO usage. Post-operative heart failure, myocarditis, and cardiogenic shock are the major contributors.
Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (ECPR): Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (ECPR) accounted for 15% of usage in 2023. Japan, the U.S., and Sweden have reported increased survival rates when ECPR is administered within 30 minutes of cardiac arrest onset.

Regional Outlook for the Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Market

Global ECMO adoption varies by region depending on critical care infrastructure, funding availability, and disease prevalence.

North America

In North America, the ECMO market is well-established. Over 1,200 ECMO centers operate in the U.S. and Canada. The U.S. alone conducted more than 75,000 ECMO procedures in 2023. Government reimbursements and availability of trained professionals support widespread usage.

Europe

Europe continues to expand ECMO programs in Germany, France, and the UK. More than 800 ECMO centers are operational across the continent. Germany conducted 18,000 procedures, accounting for 22% of the regional total. France has integrated ECMO into emergency medical services in 37 cities.

Asia-Pacific

In Asia-Pacific, ECMO usage is surging. China has over 1,000 ECMO-equipped hospitals, with 33% growth in 2023. Japan remains a leader in pediatric ECMO, with 4,500 neonatal cases reported last year. India added 120 new centers during the same period.

Middle East & Africa

Middle East & Africa are developing ECMO capacity. Saudi Arabia and UAE have expanded services, with 130 ECMO procedures in Riyadh in 2023. South Africa and Egypt are adopting mobile ECMO units in urban centers, though capacity remains limited elsewhere.

List of Top Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Companies

MAQUET
Microport
XENIOS
LivaNova
Medtronic
Terumo Cardiovascular
Nipro

MAQUET: MAQUET leads with over 35% of global ECMO installations. As of 2023, its Cardiohelp system is installed in more than 2,000 hospitals worldwide.

Medtronic: Medtronic follows with strong presence in North America, having supplied ECMO equipment to over 900 hospitals by the end of 2023.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

The ECMO market is attracting major investments in R&D, training infrastructure, and healthcare system integration. In 2023, over $1.2 billion was allocated globally to ECMO-related infrastructure. North America led with $480 million invested across 120 hospitals for ECMO capacity expansion. The European Union granted $210 million to 15 member states to upgrade intensive care systems with ECMO technology.

Private players are also entering the market. Over 40 new ECMO manufacturing startups were launched globally in 2023. Asia-Pacific, particularly China and South Korea, saw 25 such companies established. Training centers also expanded, with 58 new ECMO training institutions opening last year. India alone trained 3,200 ECMO professionals through public-private partnerships.

Mobile ECMO services are gaining traction, with 78 mobile units launched in the past year. Telemedicine integration with ECMO is another key investment area, with over 70 hospitals in the U.S. and Germany piloting remote monitoring programs. The development of cost-effective, battery-operated ECMO units is being funded by over 15 global grants and research initiatives.

New Product Development

Technological innovation remains central to ECMO market growth. In 2023, over 20 new ECMO systems received regulatory approvals globally. MAQUET launched a compact ECMO unit with an integrated touchscreen and AI diagnostics. The system can be set up in under 8 minutes and is now operational in 350 ICUs worldwide.

Medtronic introduced a hybrid ECMO system capable of switching between VA and VV modes without component replacement. This unit is currently used in 120 hospitals across the United States and Europe. Nipro developed a biocompatible oxygenator membrane with 30% enhanced gas exchange capacity, increasing patient support duration by 2.5 days.

Terumo Cardiovascular released a pediatric ECMO system with precision flow controls, reducing complication rates by 18%. Meanwhile, XENIOS developed a mobile ECMO unit weighing under 18 kg, allowing air ambulance integration. LivaNova introduced sensor-based predictive alarms, reducing clinical response times by 22%. These innovations are rapidly transforming ECMO accessibility and clinical outcomes.

Five Recent Developmets

Medtronic introduced the VitalFlow ECMO system, a configurable, one-system solution designed to simplify ECMO procedures. This system bridges the gap between bedside care and intra-hospital transport, offering clinicians an easier and smarter ECMO experience. The launch signifies Medtronic's commitment to enhancing ECMO technology for improved patient outcomes.
Hemovent GmbH announced that its portable pneumatic ECMO system, MOBYBOX®, successfully completed its first batch of commercial deployments in Europe. This system is notable for its exceptional portability, facilitating multiple intra-hospital and inter-hospital transfers. MOBYBOX® is the only ECMO system to have received Medical Device Regulation Certification, marking a significant milestone in ECMO technology.
Inspira Technologies unveiled its Next Generation Liby ECMO system, aiming to improve usability and patient care. This launch reflects the company's focus on developing advanced ECMO solutions that cater to the evolving needs of critical care settings.
CytoSorbents Corporation expanded its global footprint by establishing a new regional sales subsidiary in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This strategic move provides a gateway into the Middle East and Africa regions, addressing the increasing demand for advanced medical technologies and high-quality therapies in critical care and cardiac surgery.
In a remarkable medical intervention, a 56-year-old businessman in Mumbai survived a severe out-of-hospital cardiac arrest through the use of ECMO-CPR. The medical team at H N Reliance Hospital initiated ECMO support within 10 minutes, allowing time for emergency angioplasty and ultimately leading to the patient's recovery. This case highlights the critical role of ECMO in emergency cardiac care.

Report Coverage of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Market

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the ECMO market, covering technology types, clinical applications, regional developments, and key players. The report includes detailed segmentation by device type, highlighting VA, VV, and AV ECMO systems. Application analysis spans respiratory, cardiac, and ECPR uses. The data incorporates hospital utilization, procedural volumes, equipment distribution, and regional policy shifts.

The report examines over 80 countries, with in-depth focus on top-performing regions including North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa. It compiles data from 2020 to 2024, with emphasis on 2023–2024 developments. The market analysis includes 15+ major companies and outlines investment trends, product launches, and R&D pipelines.

Further, the report analyzes training gaps, clinical guidelines, and healthcare policies that impact ECMO availability and safety. It covers over 100 ECMO centers’ adoption patterns, benchmark metrics, and success outcomes. The study identifies over 45 active government programs and global funding initiatives supporting ECMO infrastructure and workforce development.

In conclusion, this report offers essential, fact-based insights for decision-makers, investors, manufacturers, and clinicians engaged in the expanding ECMO market.