Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2025

Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Peripheral Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Without Left Ventricular Venting
Published on: January 17, 2025
Anticoagulation Monitoring During ECMO Support: Monitor or Flip a Coin?
1Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Should we rely on anticoagulation monitoring in ECMO patients or simply flip a coin? The increasing use of anti-factor Xa activity to monitor the effect of UFH appears appropriate, given its moderate correlation with the UFH infusion rates, and it may play a role in preventing thromboembolic events. However, to avoid bleeding complications, more sophisticated tools, and careful clinical decision-making remain essential.
Should we rely on anticoagulation monitoring in ECMO patients or simply flip a coin? The increasing use of anti-factor Xa activity to monitor the effect of UFH appears appropriate, given its moderate correlation with the UFH infusion rates, and it may play a role in preventing thromboembolic events. However, to avoid bleeding complications, more sophisticated tools, and careful clinical decision-making remain essential.
Related Concept Videos
Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins
Pulse rhythm
Conversely, an irregular pulse pattern is termed dysrhythmia, stemming from disruptions in cardiac...

