Perfusion
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Tracheostomy has been utilized in combination with venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) to enable early spontaneous breathing and minimize sedation requirements. Tracheostomy has been previously reported to be safe in patients supported on VV-ECMO; however, the impact of tracheostomy on blood loss in VV-ECMO patients is unknown. ⋯ These results suggest that tracheostomy while on VV-ECMO predisposes patients to increased transfusion burden. Based on previous research, this increased transfusion burden could potentially be linked to increased complications and mortality.