TABLE 1

Differences between extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECCO2R) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)

ECCO2RECMO
Respiratory dialysisMembrane lungVenovenousVenoarterial
VenovenousArteriovenous
Conditions treatedHypercapnic respiratory failureHypercapnic respiratory failureHypercapnic respiratory failureHypercapnic respiratory failure
Hypoxemic respiratory failure
Hypercapnic respiratory failure
Hypoxemic respiratory failure
Cardiac failure
CircuitVS → ML → VS VS→ ML → VSAS → ML → VSVS → MO → VSVS → MO → AS
Flow rates0.25–0.5 L/min0.5–5 L/min0.5–5 L/min2–6 L/min2–6 L/min
ProsUses current dialysis cathetersSingle-catheter optionsPumplessOxygenation and CO2 removalOxygenation and CO2 removal
Cardiac support
ConsCO2 removal onlyCO2 removal onlyCO2 removal only Mean arterial pressure > 65 mm Hg requiredIncreased surgical complexity
  • AS = arterial system; CO2 = carbon dioxide; ML = membrane lung; MO = membrane oxygenator; VS = venous system