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Updated: Oct 2, 2025

Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in a Mouse
Published on: October 24, 2018
Zero balance ultrafiltration to correct metabolic alkalosis occurring during veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane
Adam K Blakey1, Mohammed A Quader1
1Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, Richmond, VA, USA.
Introduction:
We describe a case report of metabolic alkalosis that occurred during veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) that was corrected during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) using zero balance ultrafiltration with normal saline (NS) 0.9%.
Case Report:
A 67-year-old male received a heart transplant 6 days after being placed on VA ECMO. During VA ECMO the patient developed metabolic alkalosis. During CPB, zero balance ultrafiltration with NS 0.9% was used to correct metabolic alkalosis.
Discussion:
Metabolic alkalosis during CPB is rare. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of the use of zero balance ultrafiltration to effectively correct metabolic alkalosis.
Conclusion:
Metabolic alkalosis during CPB may be corrected using zero balance ultrafiltration with NS 0.9%.
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