For severe ARDS patients receiving femoro-jugular vv-ECMO, blood flow was the main determinant of arterial oxygenation, while CO2 elimination depended on sweep gas flow through the oxygenator. An ECMO flow/cardiac output >60% was constantly associated with adequate blood oxygenation and oxygen transport and delivery.

Early (0-2 h) lactate clearance is an important and independent prognostic variable that should probably be incorporated in future decision schemes for the resuscitation of trauma patients.