What are the two main types of ECMO?

The correct answer identifies the two main types of ECMO as veno-arterial (VA) and veno-venous (VV). These are the primary configurations used in clinical settings to support patients with severe respiratory or cardiac failure.

Veno-arterial ECMO is utilized when both cardiac and respiratory support are needed. In this setup, blood is drained from a large vein, passed through an artificial lung where carbon dioxide is removed and oxygen is added, and then returned to an artery. This maneuver provides oxygenated blood to the body and assists with pumping function if the heart is failing.

On the other hand, veno-venous ECMO is indicated primarily for patients with severe respiratory issues, where the heart remains functioning. Here, blood is drained from a vein, oxygenated in the ECMO circuit, and then returned to a vein, thus ensuring that the patient receives adequate oxygenation without supporting the cardiac function.

The incorrect options either reflect configurations that are not recognized as standard ECMO modalities or combine terms that do not align with established ECMO practices. For instance, intravenous (IV) and arterial (A) do not represent ECMO types but rather common routes of administering medication or fluids. Similarly, cardiopulmonary (