What are the modes of ECMO support?
Veno-Venous (VV): This type of ECMO provides support for the lungs only. One or two cannulas are placed in large vein(s) on the side of the neck or in the groin area at the top of the leg. Your child’s heart will continue to work normally. The ECMO machine will drain the blood from the vein through the cannula, oxygen will be added to the blood, carbon dioxide will be removed, and then the blood is warmed and returned back to the right side of the heart through the cannula. The child’s heart pumps the oxygenated blood to the body, so that the lungs have time to rest and recover. Veno-Arterial (VA): VA ECMO provides support for both the lungs and the heart. Two cannulas are placed in large vessels on the side of the neck, directly into the chest (while the chest is covered with a sterile protector) or into the groin vessels. The ECMO machine will drain the blood from the vein, add the oxygen and remove the carbon dioxide, warm the blood and then return the blood to the artery and “pump”
