Which of the following about veno-arterial (VA) and veno-venous (VV) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is wrong?
A. VA-ECMO is for heart failure, VV-ECMO for respiratory failure
B. VA-ECMO bypassess the pulmonary circulation, VV-ECMO maintains pulmonary blood flow
C. Higher PaO2 is achieved by VA-ECMO than by VV-ECMO
D. Higher perfusion rates are needed for VA-ECMO than for VV-ECMO
Answer: D
Lower perfusion rates are needed for VA-ECMO compared with VV-ECMO.
| VA-ECMO | VV-ECMO |
|---|---|
| Higher PaO2 is achieved | Lower PaO2 is achieved |
| Lower perfusion rates are needed | Higher perfusion rates are needed |
| Bypasses pulmonary circulation | Maintains pulmonary blood flow |
| Decreases pulmonary artery pressures | Elevates mixed venous PO2 |
| Provides cardiac support to assist systemic circulation | Does not provide cardiac support to assist systemic circulation |
| Requires arterial cannulation | Requires only venous cannulation |
Reference
1. eMedicine