Kinetics of arterial carbon dioxide during veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in an apnoeic porcine model

摘要

Background Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a technique widely used worldwide to improve gas exchange. Changes in ECMO settings affect both oxygen and carbon dioxide. The impact on oxygenation can be followed closely by continuous pulse oximeter. Conversely, carbon dioxide equilibrates much slower and is not usually monitored directly. Methods We investigated the time to stabilization of arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure (PaCO₂) following step changes in ECMO settings in 5 apnoeic porcine models under veno-venous ECMO support with polymethylpentene membranes. We collected sequential arterial blood gases at a pre-specified interval of 50?min using a sequence of standardized blood and sweep gas flow combinations. Results Following the changes in ECMO parameters, the kinetics of carbon dioxide was dependent on sweep gas and ECMO blood flow. With a blood flow of 1500?mL/min, PaCO₂ takes longer than 50?min to equilibrate following the changes in sweep gas flow. Furthermore, the sweep gas flow from 3.0 to 10.0?L/min did not significantly affect PaCO_2. However, with a blood flow of 3500?mL/min, 50?min was enough for PaCO₂ to reach the equilibrium and every increment of sweep gas flow (up to 10.0?L/min) resulted in additional reductions of PaCO₂. Conclusions Fifty minutes was enough to reach the equilibrium of PaCO₂ after ECMO initiation or after changes in blood and sweep gas flow with an ECMO blood flow of 3500?ml/min. Longer periods may be necessary with lower ECMO blood flows.