Which ECMO configuration provides support for both pulmonary and cardiac systems?

Which ECMO configuration provides support for both pulmonary and cardiac systems?

• A. Veno-venous
• B. Veno-arterial
• C. Arterial-venous
• D. Cardiopulmonary bypass

Answer: (B)

Venoarterial ECMO provides both cardiac and pulmonary support. Blood is drained from the venous system, oxygenated in the circuit, and returned to the arterial circulation. This delivers oxygenated blood under systemic pressure, effectively taking over part of the heart’s pumping workload and maintaining perfusion, while the oxygenator handles gas exchange for the lungs. In contrast, veno-venous ECMO returns blood to the venous system and relies on the heart to circulate it, mainly supporting lung function without providing direct cardiac support. Cardiopulmonary bypass is surgical bypass used intraoperatively rather than a long-term ECMO configuration. So, the configuration that supports both heart and lungs is venoarterial ECMO.

Venoarterial ECMO provides both cardiac and pulmonary support. Blood is drained from the venous system, oxygenated in the circuit, and returned to the arterial circulation. This delivers oxygenated blood under systemic pressure, effectively taking over part of the heart’s pumping workload and maintaining perfusion, while the oxygenator handles gas exchange for the lungs. In contrast, veno-venous ECMO returns blood to the venous system and relies on the heart to circulate it, mainly supporting lung function without providing direct cardiac support. Cardiopulmonary bypass is surgical bypass used intraoperatively rather than a long-term ECMO configuration. So, the configuration that supports both heart and lungs is venoarterial ECMO.