Clotting is a matter of when – not if – during Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO). Waiting for a problem to escalate can be the difference between a deliberate, proactive decision, and an emergency oxygenator change-out. It’s always worth staying ahead of complications.
That’s why Oxygenator Blood Volume (OXBV) measurements can be so valuable for ECMO clinicians. OXBV measurements help care teams spot trends in circuit volume and track changes over time, providing a more complete clinical picture when used alongside other ECMO parameters.
OXBV is not a stand-alone metric, but it’s an important one not to overlook.
What Is OXBV?
Essentially, OXBV is the total amount of blood flowing through the oxygenator compartment per unit of time. While the oxygenator’s size remains constant, the actual amount of flowing blood can fluctuate due to factors like clotting.
In this way, OXBV provides precise, real-time measurements and serves as a proxy measurement for circuit dynamics and potential clot burden.
Armed with this glimpse into their patient’s future, clinicians can plan ahead, changing the oxygenator when staff are available, when the patient needs it – and not before. Timeliness reduces waste, the financial burden for the hospital, and stress for the clinician and the patient. Truly, “everybody wins.”
A Game-Changer for Proactive ECMO Care
Why wait for signs from the patient that something is wrong, when the ECMO care team can instead use actionable data to guide decisions? That’s a game-changer – not just for patients, but for the entire ECMO team.
Used correctly, OXBV can help:
- Guide anticoagulation strategies
- Identify patterns of declining volume flow
- Inform the timing of oxygenator change-outs
Why Wait for a Crisis?
The Transonic ELSA Monitor uses ultrasound dilution technology to deliver accurate, real-time OXBV measurements.
Having the tools to prevent and predict complications means you focus on what matters – delivering exceptional care to your patients, every step of the way.
