As compared with venovenous ECMO, venoarterial ECMO:

A. Requires cannulation of a major artery and vein.

B. Provides both cardiac and respiratory support.

DISCUSSION: Venoarterial ECMO can provide total cardiorespiratory support via cannulation of a major vein and artery (usually the right internal jugular vein and common carotid artery in neonates). With most roller and vortex pumps, the arterial inflow from the ECMO circuit is nonpulsatile, and therefore pulse pressure is often reduced or absent. Venoarterial ECMO requires the same degree of anticoagulation as venovenous techniques.