Scavenging Gas Outlet Ports with COVID-19 ECMO and new FDA Recommendations for ECMO
The use of vacuum on the gas outlet port of a membrane oxygenator is a safe practice, if done using vacuum <10 mmHg and tubing with an open leur connector, open wye connector or a cut in the vacuum tubing. It is also advisable to turn the vacuum source off when there is no gas flow through the membrane oxygenator.