The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Vol 77, 595-601, Copyright © 1979 by The American Association for Thoracic Surgery and The Western Thoracic Surgical Association
Arteriovenous ECMO for neonatal respiratory support. A study in perigestational lambs
BP Griffith, HS Borovetz, RL Hardesty, TK Hung and HT Bahnson
A study was undertaken to investigate the applicability of the
arteriovenous mode of perfusion for partial support of neonatal
respiration. Perigestational lambs, delivered by cesarean section, served
as the animal model of respiratory distress. Arteriovenous flow was
accomplished between a single umbilical artery and vein. A microchannel
membrane oxygenator was used to provide partial respiratory support to the
newborn lambs. Total systemic flow, pulmonary blood flow, and pulmonary
vascular resistance were assessed at various rates of arteriovenous
perfusion and correlated with systemic oxygenation. A reduction in
right-to-left shunting of blood and pulmonary vascular resistance occurred
as arterial oxygenation rose from conditions of hypoxemia to PaO2 values
higher than 50 torr. Myocardial performance was not impaired at rates of
arteriovenous perfusion below 30 percent of the total systemic flow, as
evidenced by normal electrocardiographic tracings, pulmonary capillary
wedge pressures, and central venous pressures. Arteriovenous extracorporeal
membrane oxgenation (ECMO) may be particularly suitable for use in infants
with hypoxia and high pulmonary vascular resistance.