CV-EMCrit Wee - MCS Minute: ECMO and the DO2/VO2 ratio

This episode of EMCrit introduces the MCS Minute series, focusing on mechanical circulatory support. Trina Augustin discusses the DO2 to VO2 ratio in the context of ECMO, emphasizing its relevance to patients beyond those on mechanical support, such as individuals with severe ARDS. The discussion covers oxygen delivery versus oxygen consumption, highlighting how a venous oxygen saturation level informs whether oxygen delivery is adequate. Interventions to improve oxygen delivery, such as adjusting ECMO flows and managing patient metabolic demands (e.g., fever, shivering), are explored. The conversation addresses the controversial topic of hemoglobin levels during ECMO, weighing the benefits of higher levels against potential risks.