Pumpless arterio-venous extracorporeal lung assist compared with veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation during experimental lung injury

Both devices have the potential to unload the lungs from gas transfer sufficiently to facilitate lung-protective ventilation. Although technically less complex, oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide removal are limited in pECLA, and cardiac work was increased. mECMO overcomes these limitations and might provide better cardiopulmonary protection.