Principles and Practice of Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Abstract

Over the past several years, the use of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has increased. The primary advantage of venovenous (VV) over venoarterial (VA) ECMO is preservation of the carotid artery. Its primary disadvantage is that it does not provide circulatory support. While VV ECMO is technically similar to VA ECMO, clinical application of VV ECMO is quite different from VA ECMO. Recent clinical data show that VV ECMO is safe and effective. The purpose of this review is to discuss these differences between VV and VA ECMO, to review the various forms of VV ECMO, and finally to offer recommendations on the safe clinical use of VV ECMO.