Table A2

- Possible causes of oxygenator failure.

CauseCauseSolution
a) Clots in oxygenator

  • • Low extracorporeal membrane oxygenation blood flow

  • • Inadequate anticoagulation

  • • High pre-oxygenator pressure

↑ ECMO flow
↑ Anticoagulation
b) Decreased patient O2% saturationCheck pre- and post-oxygenator blood gasesChange oxygenator
c) ↓ pO2Check pre- and post-oxygenator blood gases↑ FiO2
d) ↓ pCO2Check pre- and post-oxygenator blood gases↑ Sweep