Where does the Avalon cannula drain and return blood in the body?

The Avalon cannula is a specialized catheter used in veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) procedures, particularly designed for dual-lumen access. It serves a unique function by draining venous blood directly from the body and returning oxygenated blood back to the same anatomical region.

In the context of the correct answer, the Avalon cannula drains blood from the superior and inferior vena cava, which are major veins that return deoxygenated blood to the heart. This dual drainage allows efficient removal of blood with minimal movement from the right atrium.

The return of blood occurs at the tricuspid area, where the freshly oxygenated blood is directed back towards the heart’s right atrium. This is crucial for maintaining effective circulation while allowing blood to bypass the lungs for oxygenation through the ECMO circuit. The design of the Avalon cannula allows for this dual function, maximizing the efficiency of blood flow in ECMO support.

Other options suggest different anatomical configurations or incorrect sites for either drainage or return, which do not apply to the designed function of the Avalon cannula in ECMO procedures.