The most basic task of the respiratory system, the supply of air to the lungs, where the alveoli alternate gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) from the air breathed in the blood. Respiration is gas exchange in which blood color (hemoglobin) red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues, while blood in the tissue takes carbon dioxide, and it is excreted in the lungs. Maintaining patency of the airway and adequate oxygenation are important for maintaining the normal functions of the body, and also for the treatment of critically ill patients. Obstruction of the respiratory tract can cause: falling soft palate and the epiglottis, a foreign body, phlegm, vomit, blood, laryngospasm and bronchospasm.Extracorporeal memranska oxygenation is a type of treatment for the maintenance of critically ill patients on life, and its aim is to support the work of the heart and lungs.Extracorporeal oxygenation is a form of extracorporeal life support where external artificial circulation carries venous blood from the patient to the exchange of gases in the unit where the blood becomes enriched with oxygen, and carbon dioxide are removed and such blood re-enters the patient's bloodstream. The first attempt at using the heart-lung machine for repair of intracardiac defects performed by Dennis and colleagues, April 5, 1951 at the University of Minnesota Hospital, and the first use and the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation took place in Zagreb, at the University Hospital for Infectious Diseases "Dr Fran Mihaljevic" where are disposed of patients who require respiratory support in the Department of Intensive Care and neuroinfektologiju. Type ECMO procedure is performed depending on the basic cardiac function of the patient. Veno-venous (VV) ECMO is usually performed with respiratory failure, while veno-arterial (VA) ECMO (full cardiopulmonary bypass) performed by the combined cardiac and respiratory failure.Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used in newborns as a treatment for severe respiratory insufficiency rescue. ECMO was first used in 1975 in infants.ELSO describes prolonged extracorporeal life support (ECLS, ECMO). These guidelines are not intended as a standard of care, but are reviewed at regular intervals of new information, devices, drugs and techniques become available. ELSO the use of mechanical devices to temporarily support the heart or lung function (partially or completely) during cardiopulmonary dysfunction, leading to a recovery or organ replacement. ECMO is indicated in potentially reversible life-threatening forms of cardiac or respiratory failure who do not respond to the usual treatment. ECMO is a complex procedure that is performed on critically ill patients seen, therefore, has a high potential for the occurrence of complications. Complications can arise from clinical error or inexperience, patient pathology or technical problems related to circuit components. Health care patients on ECMO device requires only the knowledge and / or iskuktvo nurses, otherwise, without this care is not good and successful as it should be. For these reasons, today are educated nurses and other staff who have been pre-designed for patient care on such a machine.