Are there different types of ECLS?
Yes. There are two different reasons to use ECLS: for cardiac support and/or respiratory assistance.
The first method is called veno-arterial support. V-a ECLS will support both the heart and the lungs. This requires the placing of two cannulae - one in a large vein and one in a large artery. The cannulae are surgically placed through the right side of the neck or directly through an incision in the chest if the patient has had cardiac surgery.
The second method is called veno-venous extracorporal life support. V-v ECLS is used for lung support only. With this type of ECLS, often only one cannula is inserted into a vein through the right side of the neck. Sometimes two venous cannulae are placed, one in the neck and one in the groin. Cannulae may also be inserted without a surgical incision. This method is called "percutaneous cannulation" and is generally used for putting patients onto ECLS quickly in an emergency situation.
