technique

Last reviewed 01/2018

ECMO requires a closed circuit of the oxygenating apparatus with the patient's circulation:

  • the oxygenating circuit - pump, membrane lung and heat exchanger - is first primed with matched blood
  • venous access is obtained by cannulating the right atrium via the right internal jugular vein; blood is pumped from this site
  • oxygenated blood is returned via:
    • the right femoral vein in the case of veno-venous bypass
    • the common carotid artery in the case of veno-arterial bypass
  • anticoagulation is maintained with heparin
  • as soon as the patient is stabilised on ECMO, ventilator settings are reduced to rest the lungs