לטקסט המאמר

Blood flow rate affects mixed venous oxygenation (SvO2) during venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), with possible effects on the pulmonary circulation and the right heart function.

We aimed at describing the physiologic effects of different levels of SvO2 obtained by changing ECMO blood flow, in patients with severe ARDS receiving ECMO and controlled mechanical ventilation.

Low (SvO2 target 70-75%), intermediate (SvO2 target 75-80%) and high (SvO2 target > 80%) ECMO blood flows were applied for 30 minutes in random order in 20 patients. Mechanical ventilation settings were left unchanged.