Question

What type of ECMO can be considered for pulmonary patients like the COPD exacerbated one?

Answer 1

ECMO or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or it is also know as extracorporeal life support,is an extracorporeal techniques of providing prolonged cardiac and respiratory support to person's whose heart and lungs are unable to provide an adequate amount of gas exchange or perfusion to sustain life.

There are two types of ECMO

* V- A ECMO ( venoarterial ECMO) - it is used for heart and lung support.

* V- V ECMO ( veno- venous ECMO) - it is used for lung support only.

For severe exacerbated COPD we use V- V ECMO or veno-venous ECMO.The surgeon will place the cannulae in a large vein only , usually in the neck .The special cannula in one vein has two channels ,Side by side , allowing the EMCO pump to draw blood out through one channel and back in through the other.The V- V ECMO is connected to one or more veins usually near the heart and it is used when the problem is only in the lungs. The early support with V- V ECMO could reduce the cumulative duration of invasive ventilation in the case eof severe COPD exacerbation.The combination with volatile sedatives make it possible to guide the Patient to spontaneous breathing with only a short weaning period.