Mechanical Circulatory Support: Ecmo May 2026

A centrifugal pump provides the force needed to maintain blood flow when the heart is too weak to do so alone.

ECMO is utilized in two primary configurations depending on the patient's specific organ failure. Veno-Venous (VV) ECMO Isolated respiratory failure. Function: Supports lung function only. Common Use: Severe pneumonia, ARDS, or COVID-19. Veno-Arterial (VA) ECMO Mechanical Circulatory Support: ECMO

The ECMO system operates by pumping blood out of the patient's body, processing it through an artificial membrane, and returning it to the circulation. A centrifugal pump provides the force needed to