Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared Novalung, a heart and lung support system for the treatment of acute respiratory or cardiopulmonary failure. Novalung is the first extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) system to be cleared for more than six hours of use as extracorporeal life support.

"Novalung is a critical leap forward in providing heart and lung support therapy for a longer duration than ever available before," said Mark Costanzo, President of Renal Therapies Group, the technologies and pharmaceuticals division of FMCNA. "We've applied our leadership and technical expertise in renal medical devices to elevate standards for acute respiratory and cardiopulmonary failure treatments and technologies. We're proud to broaden our care offerings to provide new therapies for patients with acute cardiopulmonary conditions."

Patients in acute respiratory or cardiopulmonary failure often struggle to get oxygen into their bloodstream or expel carbon dioxide out of their bodies, resulting in dangerously low levels of oxygen. This acute low oxygen state can result from a wide range of conditions. Recent research has shown a significant increase in the use of ECMO with evidence of improved survival rates and no increase in hospitalization costs.1

The Novalung ECMO system pumps and oxygenates a patient's blood, reducing the stress on damaged heart and lungs. Additionally, Novalung offers an alternative to the need for invasive mechanical ventilation, which can cause additional lung injury as a result of the air pressure required. Novalung offers a portable therapy solution designed to improve clinical outcomes and accommodate various clinical care settings such as intensive care units, operating rooms, cardiac catheterization labs, and emergency departments.

"A long-term, effective ECMO solution gives critically-ill patients the time and support needed to heal," said Dr. Robert Bartlett, Professor Emeritus, Section of General Surgery, Division of Acute Care Surgery, University of Michigan School of Medicine. "The system's pressure sensor technology ensures continuous monitoring and accurate flow control of each patient's blood, allowing the care team the flexibility needed to treat the underlying health issues."

The use of Novalung as an ECMO device for critical care has several benefits, including minimizing the need for invasive ventilation, the ability to provide support after multi-organ injuries, and better survival outcomes for patients in cardiac arrest. This integrated heart and lung therapy platform provides the lifesaving support needed for patients in critical conditions.