Adult ECMO Workshop

ECMO is complicated. Learning it doesn’t have to be.

9–10 October 2026 | 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
EMSA, 3rd Floor, Tropical Centre, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Two days. Real cases. Simulation. Decision-making. Hands-on practice.
And yes — you are allowed to ask the questions you were too afraid to ask during rounds.

With International Faculty

BEFORE YOU REGISTER, Ask yourself:

When a patient suddenly deteriorates, do you know what comes next?

ECMO or no ECMO?

VV or VA?

Where should the cannulas go?

What if the patient suddenly becomes hypotensive?

What if the oxygenator isn’t doing what it should?

What if the patient isn’t improving?

If you’ve ever thought:

“I understand ECMO… but I don’t know if I’d be confident managing this situation myself.”

Then this workshop was designed for you.

This is not a “SIT, LISTEN & TAKE NOTES” workshop…

We don’t want you spending two days staring at slides while someone reads bullet points to you.

Instead, we’re bringing ECMO into the room.

Day 1 — THINK ECMO

Didactic + case-based learning

We’ll work through the situations that actually make ECMO challenging:

Patient selection and indications
Understanding VV and VA ECMO
Cannulation concepts
ECMO physiology and troubleshooting
Ventilator and ECMO interaction
Anticoagulation considerations
Hemodynamic management
Oxygenation and ventilation problems
Common ECMO complications
Weaning and decannulation concepts
Clinical decision-making through case scenarios

But here’s the important part:

We won’t just tell you the answer.

We’ll give you the case.

YOU decide.

What would you do?

What would you check?

What would you change?

Would you cannulate?

Would you escalate?

Would you troubleshoot the circuit first?

Then we’ll discuss the reasoning behind the decision.

Because memorising an ECMO protocol is one thing.

Knowing what to do when the patient in front of you doesn’t behave like the textbook is another.

Day 2 — TOUCH ECMO

This is where things get interesting.

Hands-on simulation + bedside scenarios

You’ll move from “I know this” to:

“Okay… now show me.”

Expect practical scenarios designed around the kinds of problems an ECMO team may actually encounter.

You’ll work through situations where you have to:

ASSESS → THINK → ACT → REASSESS

And yes…

Things may not go according to plan.

That’s intentional.

Because a simulation that goes perfectly isn’t particularly useful.

We want you to experience the moment when:

“Wait… something isn’t right.”

And then work out what is wrong, why it is happening, and what you should do next.

YOUR PATIENT IS NOT GOING TO WAIT FOR YOU.

Neither should your learning.

Throughout the workshop, you’ll be encouraged to think like part of an ECMO team rather than simply an observer.

You may be asked:

“What would you do?”

“What would you check first?”

“Is this a patient problem or a circuit problem?”

“Would you change the pump flow?”

“Would you change the ventilator?”

“Would you intervene now — or wait?”

And sometimes…

There may be more than one reasonable answer.

That’s where the real learning happens.

Who should attend?

This workshop is especially suited for:

🫀 ICU DOCTORS

Build confidence in recognising ECMO candidates, understanding ECMO physiology and managing common clinical situations.

🩺 MEDICAL SPECIALISTS

Understand where ECMO fits into complex cardiopulmonary patient management and multidisciplinary decision-making.

⚙️ PERFUSIONISTS

Strengthen your practical ECMO knowledge, troubleshooting approach and team-based decision-making.

👩‍⚕️ OTHER INTERESTED MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

If ECMO is relevant to your work and you want to understand how an ECMO team actually thinks and operates, you’re welcome.

What’s different?

1. Not just lectures

Because you won’t remember every PowerPoint slide.

You will remember the patient who suddenly deteriorated and made everyone question their life choices.

2. Not just theory

We want you to understand why you’re doing something — not simply memorise what someone told you to do.

3. Simulation

The safest place to make a mistake is during training.

So we’ll give you the opportunity to think, act, get it wrong, discuss it, and try again.

Better here than during a real emergency.

4. Multidisciplinary learning

ECMO doesn’t belong to one profession.

It takes doctors, perfusionists, nurses, intensivists and the wider team working together.

This workshop reflects that reality.

5. International Faculty

Learn from experienced ECMO professionals and take part in discussions that go beyond the basics.

Bring your questions.

Bring your difficult cases.

Bring the ECMO question you’ve been carrying around for months.

What will you walk away with?

By the end of the two days, you should have a stronger understanding of:

ECMO patient selection
↓
ECMO configuration
↓
Cannulation concepts
↓
ECMO physiology
↓
Patient + circuit assessment
↓
Troubleshooting
↓
Complication recognition
↓
Clinical decision-making
↓
Team-based ECMO management

Most importantly:

You’ll have had the opportunity to practise thinking through ECMO scenarios before having to face them for real.

And yes, there’s a little challenge.

We may give you a scenario.

You may have to make a decision.

Another team may disagree.

Someone will probably say:

“But what if we…?”

And that’s exactly the point.

ECMO is a team sport.

So come ready to participate.

Not just sit at the back and disappear behind your laptop.

TWO DAYS. TWO DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES.

🗓 Day 1

DIDACTIC + CASE-BASED LEARNING

Understand the concepts.
Work through clinical cases.
Challenge your thinking.
Ask questions.
Discuss decisions.

🗓 Day 2

HANDS-ON SIMULATION + BEDSIDE SCENARIOS

Get involved.
Work through scenarios.
Troubleshoot.
Make decisions.
Reassess.
Learn from mistakes.

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

Your registration includes:

✓ 1-day or 2-day workshop access
✓ Didactic and case-based sessions
✓ Hands-on simulation sessions
✓ Bedside ECMO scenarios
✓ Interaction with international faculty
✓ Tea & lunch
✓ Workshop learning experience
✓ Certificate of participation/completion

And, hopefully:

A few moments where something suddenly “clicks.”

CHOOSE YOUR EXPERIENCE

Day 1 Only

TZS 500,000

Ideal if you want the intensive theoretical and case-based learning experience.

9 October 2026

Day 1 + Day 2

TZS 850,000

The complete experience.

Learn it.

Discuss it.

Then get your hands on it.

9–10 October 2026

If you’re serious about ECMO, we’d recommend the full two days.

ONE LAST QUESTION…

Imagine that six months from now, you’re standing beside a critically ill patient.

Someone asks:

“Could this patient benefit from ECMO?”

Would you rather think:

“I hope I remember what I learned.”

“Let’s assess the patient.”

That’s the difference we’re trying to create.

READY TO GET INVOLVED?

LIMITED SEATS AVAILABLE

Click here to register.