Episode 26: Going with the Flow: the Highs and Lows of ECMO

The podcast episode provides an introduction to the basics of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), a life support technique where blood is circulated outside the body. It distinguishes between venovenous (VV) ECMO, used for isolated respiratory failure, and veno-arterial (VA) ECMO, for cardiac or combined failure, detailing their respective cannulation methods and impacts on blood flow. The discussion covers ECMO circuit setup, emphasizing vascular access, cannula types, pump function, and gas exchange membranes. Key concepts such as oxygenation factors (FiO2, cardiac output), ventilation (sweep), and weaning (capping) are explained. The episode concludes with troubleshooting common issues like recirculation, chatter, North-South syndrome, and low flow events, alongside potential complications such as bleeding and oxygenator failure.