MIRANDOLA, Italy – February 26, 2026
Six Days of VA-ECMO Support for Combined Respiratory and Cardiac Failure
The first clinical case using the Lifemotion® ECMO system has been successfully completed at Mersin University Hospital, marking an important milestone in the introduction of the platform in Türkiye.
Mersin University Hospital is an academic referral center serving a broad regional population, with a central role in advanced critical care and cardiovascular services. The introduction of a new extracorporeal life support system in such an environment requires formal protocol review, technical validation, and coordinated readiness across anesthesiology, perfusion, intensive care, and cardiovascular teams — including alignment with institutional treatment protocols, familiarization with monitoring and alarm systems, and structured observation during early implementation.
The successful execution of this first case reflects that preparation and the collaborative effort of the teams involved.
Clinical Overview
The patient required veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) due to combined respiratory failure and cardiac support needs secondary to aortic insufficiency.
Extracorporeal support was maintained for six days, during which hemodynamic stability and gas exchange were continuously monitored and managed in accordance with institutional standards of care.
Following progressive clinical improvement, the patient was successfully weaned from extracorporeal support and recovered.
Clinical Leadership
This case was pionnered by Professor Handan Birbiçer, Head of the Anesthesiology and Reanimation Department. Professor Davud Yapıcı, intensive care specialist, also played a crucial role in the succesful completion of the
first procedure.
Introducing a new ECMO system requires experienced clinical oversight, particularly during early adoption when teams are integrating new monitoring interfaces, operational workflows, and safety checks into established extracorporeal support practice.
Professor Birbicer coordinated the multidisciplinary effort, ensuring structured implementation and patient-centered management throughout the six-day support period.
The successful completion of this VA-ECMO case represents an important step in the broader introduction of the Lifemotion® ECMO system in Türkiye.
First clinical applications provide the foundation for ongoing institutional experience, team familiarity and procedural refinement, structured post-case review, and integration into routine clinical practice where appropriate.
As further clinical experience is gathered, additional insights may emerge regarding workflow integration, operational efficiency, and clinical familiarity within established ECMO programs. For now, the successful six-day support and patient recovery mark a meaningful first milestone.
All clinical details have been shared with permission and in accordance with the publicity policies of Mersin University Hospital. No patient-identifiable information is included.
This content is intended for professional and informational purposes only. It reflects the experiences of the treating clinical team and does not replace established clinical guidelines, product labeling, or instructions for use. Device application should always follow CE-marked indications and local institutional protocols.
