Dear colleagues,

Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) has made remarkable progress in the care of the critically ill. Some will remember, that more than a decade ago the technique was met by many intensivists with a great deal of skepticism. However, the advent of H1N1-influenza-A associated severe lung failure introduced the technically optimized devices of modern ECMO II to many ICUs worldwide. In addition, in more recent years a significant rise in the use of VA-ECMO for cardiogenic shock of diverse etiologies is observed. ECPR is applied in specialized centers for refractory cardiac arrest in hospital and out of hospital. Thus, ECLS has become an inherent part of modern Intensive Care Medicine.

Yet solid scientific proof for many areas of ECLS is still missing. Important questions are not unanimously answered. Different views persist and finding optimal solutions requires ongoing discussion. This discussion shall be stimulated by this symposium. Experts and friends from around the world are invited to discuss many controversial topics of both respiratory and circulatory support.
Controversies are necessary to enhance knowledge. The aim of this meeting is to improve our clinical practice by developing new insights from controversies.

Not at least this symposium is intended to honour Alois Philipp, for many years chief perfusionist of the University
Hospital Regensburg. For more than 30 years he constantly tried to improve the technique to render it useful
for the ICU and to find ways to optimize patient care. Making the devices fit for rapid deployable transport to be able to immediately bring rescue support to distant emergencies was one of his targets. ECMO became a passion for life, for the life of patients who could not be saved without ECMO.

We cordially welcome you to this international symposium on ECMO 2020 in Regensburg.
 

Thomas Müller                     Christof Schmid