ECMO equipment: what every new ECMO centre needs

Starting an ECMO programme requires more than purchasing a console. A complete ECMO capability encompasses the primary circuit and console, a full range of cannulae, emergency backup equipment, consumables for ongoing circuit maintenance, monitoring adjuncts, and the infrastructure to support circuit changes and emergencies at any hour. This article provides a comprehensive equipment checklist for hospitals setting up new ECMO programmes in Australia.

Primary ECMO console and circuit

• ECMO console: integrated centrifugal pump drive, flow measurement, pressure monitoring, alarm system, battery backup — ARTG-listed
• Centrifugal pump heads: sufficient stock for circuit changes (minimum 2–3 per patient run)
• Membrane oxygenators: ARTG-listed; stock sufficient for planned runs and at least one circuit change per patient
• ECMO circuit tubing sets: pre-assembled tubing sets matched to the console; ARTG-listed
• Heat exchanger and water bath: integrated or standalone; capable of both heating and cooling

Cannulae: full range required

Cannulae must cover adult VV and VA configurations and the full range of patient sizes:

• Venous drainage cannulae: 20, 22, 24 Fr (adult)
• Venous return cannulae (jugular): 19, 21 Fr
• Arterial return cannulae: 15, 17 Fr with integrated distal perfusion port or separate DPC sheaths
• Dual-lumen bicaval cannulae (e.g., 27, 31 Fr) for VV ECMO with greater mobility
• Paediatric range if paediatric ECMO is intended

Monitoring and adjunct equipment

• Bedside ACT/activated clotting time analyser (e.g., Hemochron)
• Anti-Xa laboratory access (available in most Australian hospital pathology labs)
• Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for cerebral and limb monitoring
• Point-of-care gas analyser for post-membrane blood gases
• Inline circuit pressure transducers (oxygenator inlet and outlet)
• Echocardiography machine (TOE and TTE capability for cannula positioning and cardiac monitoring)
• Ultrasound machine for cannulation guidance

Emergency and backup equipment

• Manual hand-crank or emergency pump for power failure
• Haemostatic clamps — minimum 4 per bedside, permanently available
• Spare pump head at bedside
• Pre-primed emergency backup circuit (some centres maintain one per active ECMO patient)
• Air bubble detector and automatic clamp system (integrated into most modern consoles)

Consumables supply and inventory management

Consumable inventory management is critical — stockouts of oxygenators or circuit sets during an active ECMO run are unacceptable. Establish minimum stock levels, re-order triggers, and a relationship with the distributor for emergency supply. OHM Healthcare maintains Australian stock of all Lifemotion ECMO system consumables.

To discuss ECMO equipment procurement, ARTG-listed products, and support for new ECMO programmes — contact OHM Healthcare, exclusive ANZ distributor of the Lifemotion ECMO system.

lifemotionecmo.com.au  |  ohmhealthcare.com.au

For ECMO programme directors and hospital biomedical engineering teams. Educational only — equipment requirements vary by programme scope and patient volume.