Already a member? Sign in
Lippincott Nursing Pocket Card - July 2020
ECMO is used for both cardiac and pulmonary failure when conventional measures are no longer effective to support life. Rather than providing a cure for the underlying disease process, ECMO delivers oxygen-rich blood to vital organs, which gives the heart and lungs time to repair. During ECMO, blood is drained from the patient’s vascular system and then circulated outside the body by a mechanical pump through an oxygenator and heat exchanger. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is removed and oxygen-saturated blood is returned to the body.
Also known as extracorporeal life support or extracorporeal lung assist, there are two primary types: venovenous (VV) and venoarterial (VA) ECMO. The table below shows a comparison of the two.
Once it has been determined that ECMO will be instituted, the patient is anticoagulated, typically with intravenous (IV) heparin. Cannulation of the vessels is performed; the patient is connected to the ECMO device and blood flow is increased until respiratory and hemodynamic targets are met. These targets may include (Bartlett, 2020):
Arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation greater than 90% for VA ECMO, or greater than 75% for VV ECMO
Venous oxyhemoglobin saturation 20-25% lower than the arterial saturation
Adequate tissue perfusion, as evidenced by arterial blood pressure, venous oxygen saturation, and blood lactate level
Hemodynamics
When the target parameters have been met, blood flow is maintained at the set rate and oxygen status is assessed by continuous venous oximetry.
If oxygenation drops below the target range, consider increasing blood flow, intravascular volume or hemoglobin concentration (Bartlett, 2020). Decreasing patient’s temperature to reduce oxygen consumption may be beneficial as well.
Left ventricular output may worsen with VA ECMO; inotropes may be used to increase contractility and intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) will reduce afterload and support left ventricular cardiac output.
Monitor central venous pressure and fluid status.
Anticoagulation and laboratory
Maintain anticoagulation with a continuous IV infusion of unfractionated heparin or direct thrombin inhibitor to achieve an activated clotting time (ACT) of 180 to 210 seconds. Reduce the ACT target if bleeding occurs.
Monitor platelet counts and maintain level above 50,000/mL.
Monitor hemoglobin and maintain level within normal range.
Ventilator management
Adjust ventilator settings to prevent barotrauma, ventilator-induced lung injury, and oxygen toxicity. Typical ventilator settings are FiO2 less than 50%, positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) at 5 cm H2O, tidal volume at 4 mL/kg, respiratory rate at 2 to 5 breaths per minute, and plateau pressure maintained less than 30 cm H2O (Naddour et al., 2019).
Perform strict pulmonary hygiene to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia.
Renal management
Diuretics are often administered to reduce fluid overload.
Oliguric and polyuric phases of acute tubular necrosis are common on ECMO, and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) may be required.
Monitor for signs of infection and poor perfusion such as increased lactic acid level, metabolic acidosis, decreased urine output and increased liver enzymes.
Assess for lower limb ischemia: check dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial pulses, and assess for coolness or mottling of feet.
Administer light sedation as ordered to prevent decannulation.
Conduct daily wakeup and hourly pupil checks to monitor neurological status.
Practice diligent patient repositioning to prevent skin breakdown.
Staffing considerations (O’Connor & Smith, 2018):
Staffing models will vary from facility to facility based on staffing experience and ECMO patient volumes; some centers require two staff per one ECMO patient.
Pediatric/neonatal patients on ECMO are typically managed by an ECMO specialist. These specialists may include:
Registered nurse (RN)
Respiratory therapist (RRT)
Clinical perfusionist
Physician with advanced training in ECMO
An alternative staffing model may include a core team of RNs and RRTs within ECMO centers who develop expertise in caring for complex patients.
Specialized training will include:
Management of the ECMO circuit such as priming the circuit for cannulation and titration of blood flow and sweep gas flow
Coordination of fluid, blood and sedation management
There are several complications from ECMO therapy that are common and associated with significant morbidity and mortality.
Bleeding
Due to anticoagulation and platelet dysfunction
Can occur at multiple sites such as insertion site, surgical site, intra-abdominally, and intracranially
Thromboembolism
Blood clot formation in membrane oxygenator and tubing connections; monitor for changes in the circuit such as dark or white areas around the gas exchange device; a primed replacement circuit should be readily available at the bedside
Pulmonary embolism
Deep vein thrombosis
Cannulation-related complications
Vessel perforation
Arterial dissection
Distal ischemia
Incorrect location (i.e. venous cannula located within the artery)
Venous cannulas too close causing recirculation of blood
Mechanical complications
Oxygenator failure
Pump failure
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) – replace heparin with a non-heparin anticoagulant, such as argatroban.
VA ECMO-specific complications
Pulmonary hemorrhage
Cardiac thrombosis
Coronary or cerebral hypoxia
Neurological injury
Before weaning from ECMO can begin, several criteria should be met. For patients with respiratory failure, monitor for improvement in chest X-ray appearance, pulmonary compliance, and arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation. In patients with cardiac failure, assess for improved left ventricular output. A transthoracic echocardiogram may be performed to evaluate heart function. Trials should be performed before discontinuing ECMO permanently. When the patient is ready, stop the heparin drip 30 to 60 minutes before the cannulas are removed. Following cannula removal, apply pressure to the insertion sites. For VA ECMO, compression should be applied to the arterial site for a minimum of thirty minutes.
© 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. – Terms & Conditions – Privacy Policy – Disclaimer -- v7.7.7