Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Machine Market Trends

Growth Drivers

• Technological advancements driving innovation in the healthcare sector: The World Economic Forum stated that global spending on health reached USD 9.8 trillion in 2021. The burgeoning investment in healthcare is leading to the introduction of technological advancements in medical devices. Over the past few years, the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machine market’s sales have been experiencing year-on-year increases mainly from the key industry players, which reflects a commitment to technological advancements. There has been an introduction of technologically advanced components, such as dual lumen cannula, rotary pumps, etc. 
   
• Rising burden of cardiovascular diseases: ECMO is widely used as an artificial life support that can help a person whose heart and lungs are not functioning properly. According to the British Heart Foundation, in January 2025, around 640 million people are living with heart and circulatory diseases across the world. The device is capable of offering long-term heart support for hours to weeks. The rise in cardiovascular diseases, including cerebrovascular disease, coronary heart disease, congenital heart disease, etc., is imposing a high disease burden on the healthcare system. 
   
• Surge in cases of lung transplant: ECMO is used during the waiting period or the recovery time in the process of lung transplant. The International Society for Heart & Lung Transplantation published data in March 2024 that more than 4,600 lung transplants were performed globally each year. As the number of lung transplant procedures is rising, there will be a higher demand for the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machine.

Challenges

• Exorbitant cost associated with the ECMO therapy: One crucial challenge for ECMO therapy is its cost value. The preliminary investment and ongoing expenses related to the ECMO machine, monitoring equipment, and specialized medical personnel may surpass healthcare budgets. So, this financial burden is expected to limit the accessibility of ECMO therapy, particularly in areas where the resources are very limited. Therefore, the cost barrier may constrain the widespread adoption of ECMO machines, restricting their use in healthcare facilities and leading to disparities in access to advanced life support technologies.
   
• Risk associated with the ECMO therapy: There are a few risks associated with the ECMO therapy. For instance, there are chances of the entrance of small blood clots or air bubbles into the bloodstream. Also, there are chances of neurological problems that include strokes and seizures.