Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides temporary direct cardiac and/or pulmonary support to patients who have failed conventional treatments. It is an invasive, advanced treatment of last resort in patients with acute cardiogenic shock or respiratory failure that would otherwise be fatal. Its main purpose is to support a patient in distress while the patient ideally recovers or when a definitive durable treatment is performed, such as implantation of other mechanical support devices or an organ transplant. There are numerous risks and complications to consider before initiating ECMO support on a patient. ECMO has been used in all age groups around the world for decades but requires intensive training and complex infrastructure to have a successful program. This is a brief introduction to this life-saving technology and its unique role in patients with cardiac disorders.