In vitro VV-ECMO mock circuit to quantify oxygen transfer across ARDS and ECMO weaning stages

Abstract

A continuous dual-loop mock circuit for venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) was developed to quantify oxygenation contributions across simulated pathophysiological (acute respiratory distress syndrome, ARDS) and therapy stages (ECMO weaning). ARDS stages (mild to severe) were calibrated for simulated patients using Berlin-definition targets and model-derived setpoints. The calculation of relative partitioning, oxygen transfer rate, and gas exchange ratio was enabled by four-site blood gas measurement. The results indicate the presence of distinct plateaus and a consistent shift of oxygenation from ECMO to lung compartment during ECMO weaning. The setup provides a foundation for future gas exchange models and weaning strategies.