Fluids and medicines can also be given into the ECMO circuit. The ECMO pump controls how quickly the blood flows through the circuit. By adjusting the flow we can control how much oxygen is returning to your baby. As your baby's lungs improve we can gradually reduce this flow until he is ready to cope on his own. The length of time this takes varies from baby to baby and you may find the pump flow rate will go up and down throughout the day The oxygenator is the most important part of the ECMO circuit and acts in the same way as a healthy lung.
Blood flowing through it has oxygen added and carbon dioxide removed.
The levels of these two substances can be controlled by adjusting the gas flow meters . The blood leaving the oxygenator is bright red due to it's high oxygen content. As the blood flows round the circuit it cools down. The ECMO doctor will have explained to you that we need to add heparin to the blood flowing through the circuit to prevent it clotting. While on ECMO, it will be possible to reduce the need for the ventilator and allow the physiotherapists to give appropriate respiratory care.