What does the modified Fick equation calculate in VV ECMO?

The modified Fick equation is primarily utilized to calculate cardiac output, particularly in the context of VV ECMO (veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation). This equation helps determine the amount of blood being pumped by the heart per minute by taking into account factors such as oxygen consumption and the difference in oxygen content between arterial and venous blood.

In VV ECMO, it is essential to assess cardiac output because the procedure supports patients with respiratory failure by providing oxygenation and removing carbon dioxide. By using parameters from the modified Fick equation, clinicians can measure how effectively the ECMO system is supporting the patient's physiological needs and can adjust settings accordingly to optimize oxygen delivery and carbon dioxide removal.

The other options, while relevant to aspects of patient monitoring and care, do not accurately represent what the modified Fick equation calculates in the context of VV ECMO.