COMMON TERMS USED WITH ECMO
• Cannulae – plastic tubes that cardiothoracic surgeons place into the veins and arteries leading to and from the heart . The ECMO system is attached to these cannulae to provide support for patients who need it .
• Cannulation – the process of inserting the cannulae , either surgically or through the skin ( percutaneously )
• Capping – a test to see how the patient responds with the ECMO system still connected but with the gas flow turned off and before the cannulae are removed
• Decannulation – surgical removal of the cannulae in the operating room . This is only done after the care team believes the patient has recovered enough to potentially come off of ECMO
• Oxygenator – the part of the ECMO system that serves as the “ artificial lung .” It provides oxygen to the blood and removes carbon dioxide .
• Pump – the part of the ECMO system that serves as the “ artificial heart .” It pushes blood through the system and back into the patient .
• ECMO flow – the amount of blood per minute being pumped through the ECMO system . In general , patients who need more support need a higher rate of flow .
• Sweep gas – a blend of oxygen and special gases that is used to control the amount of carbon dioxide removed and oxygen returned to the patient . Larger amounts of sweep gas mean more support for the lungs .
• Weaning – slowly reducing ECMO support as the patient improves . This gives the care team time to evaluate heart and lung function , to see if ECMO can be discontinued . uabmedicine . org 3