Najran ELSO-Endorsed Adult ECMO Comprehensive Simulation-Based Course 2026
25 Apr 2026 – 28 Apr 2026 · Najran Health Cluster, Najran, Saudi Arabia · In-Person
Najran Health Cluster is the first health cluster in Saudi Arabia to hold ELSO course endorsement, and this four-day programme is its flagship extracorporeal life support training activity. Endorsed by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) as an Adult ECMO Comprehensive Simulation-Based Course, it meets the requirements for Step 1 and Step 2 criteria of the ELSO Adult ECMO Endorsed Course (E-AEC) pathway.
ECMO has become a vital life-saving technology for patients who no longer respond to conventional therapy. In support of Saudi Vision 2030 and the national drive to build advanced critical-care capability outside the major metropolitan centres, the course trains physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists and perfusionists in the safe initiation, management and troubleshooting of extracorporeal support.
Course structure
The programme combines didactic lectures with extensive hands-on, simulation-based practice across four days:
Day 1 — Foundations
- History and evolution of ECMO
- Circuit overview: cannulas, tubing and blender
- Membrane lung and machine pump
- Physiology and configuration of ECLS
Days 2–3 — Clinical management and skills
- Patient selection, indications and contraindications
- Cannulation techniques and vascular access
- Anticoagulation, haematological management and bleeding complications
- Daily management, weaning and decannulation
- Troubleshooting circuit emergencies
- Wet-lab and simulation stations
Day 4 — Advanced scenarios
- ECPR (extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation) scenarios
- ECMO transport and inter-facility transfer
- Full-team simulation, debriefing and course close
Faculty
Led by Dr. Islam Seada, MD, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon and ECMO Programme Director at Najran Health Cluster, supported by a multidisciplinary faculty of intensivists, cardiothoracic surgeons, nephrologists, critical-care nurses, respiratory therapists and perfusionists from the cluster.
Target audience
- Physicians — intensivists, cardiac surgeons, anaesthesiologists, internists
- Nurses — ICU, CCU and ER nurses
- Respiratory therapists
- Technicians — perfusionists
Contact
Course enquiries: islamsada2@gmail.com
