Venovenous (VV) ECMO supports which function?

• A. Cardiac function
• B. Cardiac and pulmonary function
• C. None
• D. Pulmonary function

Answer: (D)

Venovenous ECMO provides gas-exchange support for the lungs. Blood is drained from the venous system, oxygenated, and returned to the venous circulation, so the circuit handles oxygenation and CO2 removal while the heart continues to pump on its own. This means it directly supports pulmonary function, giving the lungs time to rest and recover in severe respiratory failure. It does not provide direct cardiac support or increase cardiac output; for that, a venous-arterial (VA) ECMO setup would be used.