Understand the workings and tips for best use of ECMO ultrasonic sensors. ECMO centrifugal flow pumps require external sensors to provide accurate measurement of blood flow rates based on differential acoustic transit time due to the Doppler effect. The acoustic mirror of bubbles allow for easy detection of air in the line also.

With centrifugal flow pumps, the ECMO circuit blood flow rate is dependent not only on the pump rotational speed, but also upstream and downstream pressures. Ultrasonic flow transducers provide are able to provide accurate measurements. The ECMO ultrasound flow sensors require a conductive interface between the sensor and the circuit.

Gas exchange in vv-ECMO is effected by four critical factors. There needs to be adequate effective ECMO blood flow compared to cardiac output and minimal recirculation. Oxygenation can then be set with the blender and carbon dioxide removal is determined by the sweep gas flow rate.