Weaning assessment of veno-arteriovenous (V-AV) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)

Abstract

Abstract Currently, there is a lack of methods for simultaneous assessment of readiness for decannulation of the veno-venous (V-V) and veno-arterial (V-A) components during veno-arteriovenous (V-AV) extracorporal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. We describe a novel approach using a simultaneous off-sweep and controlled backflow test to assess readiness for decannulation from V-AV ECMO. This method needs testing in future clinical trials.

Keywords

• V-AV ECMO
• Weaning
• Back flow
• Off-sweep