Figure 2.
Significant sequestration of drugs in the ECMO circuit increases their volumes of distribution leading to suboptimal drug concentrations in the body. A mere increase in administered dose for all drugs during ECMO may not suffice, as the less sequestered drugs may reach toxic levels. A - PVC tubing, B- pump, C- oxygenator (Reproduced with Permission, Shekar et al Journal of Crit Care 2012).