Risk of harlequin syndrome during bi-femoral peripheral VA-ECMO: should we pay more attention to the watershed or try to change the venous cannulation site?

We evaluated the efficacy of topical Myolaxin (capsaican ointment, Geno, Mumbai) ointment over EMLA (eutectic mixture of lignocaine, prilocaine; Neon, Goa) cream for attenuating venous cannulation pain in this prospective, randomised, double blind study. Sixty adult patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly assigned into two equal groups. Group I (EMLA) received EMLA cream, whereas Group II (Myolaxin) received Myolaxin ointment. For both groups the cream was applied at the venous cannulation site (dorsum of the non-dominant hand) one hour prior to venous cannulation and was covered with an occlusive dressing. Following venous cannulation patients were asked if they felt pain during venous cannulation. If the answer was yes, they were asked to rate the severity of venous cannulation pain using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of O-10. The incidence of venous cannulation pain was similar between groups: in the EMLA group 65% (18/28) compared to 67% (20/30) in the Myolaxin group (P=0.19). The severity of pain (median VAS with inter quartile range) was also similar between the groups: in the EMLA group 1.5 (3) compared to 1.5 (2) in the Myolaxin group (P=0.46). As the topical application of Myolaxin ointment is cheaper than EMLA and has similar efficacy, it may be a suitable alternative for reducing the incidence and severity of venous cannulation pain.

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Peripheral VA-ECMO venous cannulation: which side for the femoral cannula?

Intensive Care Medicine ◽

10.1007/s00134-016-4636-5 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 43 (3) ◽

pp. 468-469 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Laura Ruggeri ◽

Martina Evangelista ◽

Filippo Consolo ◽

Andrea Montisci ◽

Alberto Zangrillo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Venous Cannulation ◽

Va Ecmo

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A retrospective cohort analysis of percutaneous versus side-graft perfusion techniques for veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in patients with refractory cardiogenic shock

Perfusion ◽

10.1177/0267659116683792 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 32 (5) ◽

pp. 363-371 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Mehmet Cakici ◽

Evren Ozcinar ◽

Cagdas Baran ◽

Ahmet Onat Bermede ◽

Mehmet Cahit Sarıcaoglu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Cardiogenic Shock ◽

Femoral Artery ◽

Vascular Complications ◽

Ecmo Support ◽

Acute Limb Ischemia ◽

Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Refractory Cardiogenic Shock ◽

Cannulation Site ◽

Va Ecmo

Objectives: This study was designed to compare vascular complications and the outcomes of ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous cannulation with distal perfusion catheter (PC-DP) and arterial side-graft perfusion (SGP) techniques in patients who require veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) support for refractory cardiogenic shock (RCS). Methods: We conducted a retrospective, observational cohort study of consequtive patients with RCS treated with VA-ECMO at a single transplant center from March 2010 until August 2015. Overall, 148 patients underwent VA-ECMO for RCS (99 men, aged 56.6 ± 12.0 years; BSA, 1.85 ± 0.19). Patients were categorized based on VA-ECMO perfusion technique into PC-DP via femoral artery and SGP via axillary/femoral artery groups. Results: The median duration of VA-ECMO support was 5 days (range, 8 hours–80 days). Hospital mortality (PC-DP group, 54.7%; SGP group, 64.4%; p=0.23) and overall ECMO survival (PC-DP group, 36.9%; SGP group, 32.2%; p=0.47) was similar between the groups. There were no significant between-group differences in the rate of acute limb ischemia (PC-DP group, 4/75, 5.3%; SGP group, 2/73, 2.7%; p=0.68). However, the rate of surgical/cannulation site bleeding (PC-DP, 9/75 (12%) vs SGP, 18/73 (24.7%), p=0.05) and hyperperfusion syndrome (PC-DP, 2/75 (2.7%) vs SGP, 22/73 (30.1%),p=0.001) were higher in the SGP group than in the PC-DP group. Conclusions: We observed no significant difference in major vascular complications or survival between patients who underwent the PC-DP technique and those who underwent arterial SGP.

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Novel surgical management of an extensive recurrent Hickman line thrombosis involving the SVC and right atrium

10.22541/au.162669188.85479384/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Anna Zingale ◽

Danai Karamanou ◽

Pietro Malvindi ◽

Suvitesh Luthra ◽

Sunil Ohri

Keyword(s):

Cardiopulmonary Bypass ◽

Small Bowel ◽

Right Atrium ◽

Circulatory Arrest ◽

Anticoagulation Therapy ◽

Venous Drainage ◽

Central Line ◽

Venous Cannulation ◽

Cannulation Site ◽

Intracardiac Thrombosis

Intravenous central line catheters are often at risk of line-related thrombosis. We report on how the cardiopulmonary bypass strategy was tailored to the particular anatomical challenges with the use of an unconventional venous cannulation site to optimise intraoperative venous drainage, improve surgical exposure and avoid circulatory arrest in a case with a complex intracardiac thrombosis. This report also highlights the importance of assiduously monitoring the efficacy of anticoagulation therapy, especially in the context of small bowel syndrome.

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An Ovine Model of Awake Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Frontiers in Veterinary Science ◽

10.3389/fvets.2021.809487 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Jiachen Qi ◽

Sizhe Gao ◽

Gang Liu ◽

Shujie Yan ◽

Min Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Animal Models ◽

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Ecmo Support ◽

Large Animal ◽

Ovine Model ◽

Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Large Animal Models ◽

Cannulation Site ◽

Va Ecmo

Background: Large animal models are developed to help understand physiology and explore clinical translational significance in the continuous development of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) technology. The purpose of this study was to investigate the establishment methods and management strategies in an ovine model of VA-ECMO.Methods: Seven sheep underwent VA-ECMO support for 7 days by cannulation via the right jugular vein and artery. The animals were transferred into the monitoring cages after surgery and were kept awake after anesthesia recovery. The hydraulic parameters of ECMO, basic hemodynamics, mental state, and fed state of sheep were observed in real time. Blood gas analysis and activated clotting time (ACT) were tested every 6 h, while the complete blood count, blood chemistry, and coagulation tests were monitored every day. Sheep were euthanized after 7 days. Necropsy was performed and the main organs were removed for histopathological evaluation.Results: Five sheep survived and successfully weaned from ECMO. Two sheep died within 24–48 h of ECMO support. One animal died of fungal pneumonia caused by reflux aspiration, and the other died of hemorrhagic shock caused by bleeding at the left jugular artery cannulation site used for hemodynamic monitoring. During the experiment, the hemodynamics of the five sheep were stable. The animals stayed awake and freely ate hay and feed pellets and drank water. With no need for additional nutrition support or transfusion, the hemoglobin concentration and platelet count were in the normal reference range. The ECMO flow remained stable and the oxygenation performance of the oxygenator was satisfactory. No major adverse pathological injury occurred.Conclusions: The perioperative management strategies and animal care are the key points of the VA-ECMO model in conscious sheep. This model could be a platform for further research of disease animal models, pathophysiology exploration, and new equipment verification.

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Lower limb amputation following venous cannulation for VA-ECMO: a case report

Perfusion ◽

10.1177/02676591211050608 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 026765912110506

Author(s):

Natasha Habr ◽

Jamal J Hoballah ◽

Jamil Borgi ◽

Caroline Hamadi ◽

Pierre Sfeir ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lower Limb ◽

Limb Ischemia ◽

Major Amputation ◽

Lower Limb Amputation ◽

Limb Amputation ◽

Venous Cannulation ◽

Knee Amputation ◽

Venous Cannula ◽

Arterial Insufficiency ◽

Va Ecmo

Lower limb amputation following arterial cannulation for VA-ECMO has been described in the literature. Limb ischemia however following venous cannulation is very rare and not quite understood. We present a case of limb ischemia following venous cannulation. A combination of venous congestion, compartment syndrome and subsequent arterial insufficiency is the proposed pathophysiology. Shock and use of vasopressors are compounding factors. Limb ischemia can be transient and reversible if diagnosed immediately and treated by early removal of the cannula. Our patient was unstable and ECMO dependent, and removal of the cannula was not an option. This resulted in limb loss and eventual above knee amputation. Use of the smallest appropriate venous cannula and early fasciotomy, in addition to hemodynamic optimization are measures that could help in preventing major amputation.

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Abstract 16208: Safety and Efficacy of Arterio-venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (SAVE Study) Cannulation by Interventional Cardiologists for Pediatric Population: Results of a Single Center Pilot Study

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.142.suppl_3.16208 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽

Author(s):

Cihangir Buyukgoz ◽

Hitesh Sandhu ◽

Katherine Rower ◽

Benjamin Waller ◽

Umar Boston ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ◽

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Femoral Artery ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Routine Practice ◽

Safety And Efficacy ◽

Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Vein Access ◽

Cannulation Site ◽

Va Ecmo

Introduction: Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) cannulations have been successfully performed in adults by interventional cardiologists (IC) for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) but little data exists in children. Hypothesis: This study aimed to describe the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided percutaneous VA-ECMO cannulation performed by IC for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Methods: VA-ECMO cannulation performed by IC for CPR between January 2018 - June 2020 in a tertiary care children’s hospital were reviewed. Efficacy was defined as successful initiation of VA-ECMO following CPR without a surgical cut-down. Safety was defined as the absence of the need for additional procedures related to the cannulation event. Results: Eight VA-ECMO cannulations were attempted on 7 patients with 100% success; 1 patient was cannulated twice at 2 separate CPR events. Patients had congenital heart disease (n=3), idiopathic pulmonary hypertension (n=1), T-cell lymphoma (n=1) and dilated cardiomyopathy (n=2). Median age was 15 (6-18) years, median weight was 74 (16-109) kg. Uninterrupted CPR occurred during all cannulations. All cannulations were performed from left femoral artery and right femoral vein, 4 (50%) cannulations included additional internal jugular vein access. Reperfusion cannulation for distal limb circulation was also performed percutaneously by IC for 5 cannulations. Median venous cannula size was 22 (15-25) Fr and median arterial cannula size was 17 (15-17) Fr. Median cannulation start time to ECMO flow was 34.5 (18-112) min. Median ECMO duration was 3 (0.3-50) days. Survival at ECMO decannulation was 75% with a 30-day survival of 87.5%. The overall complication rate was 12.5%. One patient developed hematoma at cannulation site that was conservatively managed, and 1 patient (16 kg) developed avulsion of the intima of the left common femoral artery that needed repair. A cardiovascular surgeon was available or present during all ECMO cannulations. Conclusions: Pediatric VA-ECMO cannulation for CPR can be performed safely and efficiently by IC without interruption. Larger studies and further investigations are necessary especially in smaller children before advocating for its routine practice.

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Acute vascular complications of femoral venoarterial ECMO; a single center retrospective study

European Heart Journal Acute Cardiovascular Care ◽

10.1093/ehjacc/zuab020.150 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

M Laimoud ◽

E Saad ◽

S Koussayer

Keyword(s):

Cardiogenic Shock ◽

Vascular Complications ◽

Limb Ischemia ◽

Adult Patients ◽

Acute Limb Ischemia ◽

Care Hospital ◽

Refractory Cardiogenic Shock ◽

Cannulation Site ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Va Ecmo

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Backgroud Emergent veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is increasingly used to provide rapid cardiopulmonary resuscitation in adult patients with refractory cardiogenic shock . Femoral arterial cannulation may result in ipsilateral limb ischemia due to reduced distal blood flow below the insertion point of the cannula .We retrospectively studied adult patients supported with femoral VA-ECMO for cardiogenic shock between 2015 and 2019 at our tertiary care hospital. Results : the study included 65 adult patients supported on femoral VA-ECMO for refractory cardiogenic shock . The studied patients had a mean age of 37.9 ± 14.87 years , mostly males (70.8%) , a mean BSA of 1.77 ±0.27 m2 and a mean BMI of 26.1 ± 6.7 kg/m2 . Twenty one (32.3%) patients developed acute lower limb ischemia. Femoral thrombectomy and angioplasty were done in 20 (30.8% ) patients . Four (6.2%) patients developed limb compartmental syndrome and fasciotomy was done . Amputation of toes was done in one patient . The vascular complications included cannulation site bleeding in 24.6% of patients , femoral arteriovenous fistula in one patient and large pseudoaneurysm after ECMO decannulation and required vascular surgical repair . Three (4.6%) patients developed chronic limb ischemia manifestations after hospital discharge . The patients who developed acute limb ischemia had significantly frequent AKI (<0.001) without significant use of haemodialysis (p = 0.07) and longer ICU stay (p = 0.028) compared to the patients without limb ischemia. The hospital mortality occurred in 29 (44.6%) patients without significant difference between the patients with and without acute limb ischemia. The occurrence of acute limb ischemia was significantly correlated with failed percutaneous femoral cannulation (p = 0.039 ) while there was no significant statistical correlation between the cut-down technique and occurrence of limb ischemia(p = 0.053). The occurrence of femoral cannulation site bleeding was significantly correlated with failed percutaneous cannulation (p = 0.001 ) and cut-down technique (p = 0.001) . Conclusion : Acute vascular complications are frequent after femoral VA-ECMO. Failed percutaneous femoral cannulation has been, in this study identified as the most important risk factor for acute limb ischemia and cannulation site bleeding. Recommendation: A careful approach during femoral cannulation is recommended to prevent occurrence of acute limb ischemia and femoral cannulation site bleeding. Abstract Figure. Cannulation approaches of VA-ECMO .

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A case study of Harlequin syndrome in VA-ECMO

Qatar Medical Journal ◽

10.5339/qmj.2017.swacelso.39 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 (1) ◽

pp. 39 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Said Ali Masoud Al Hanshi ◽

Farhana Al Othmani

Keyword(s):

Harlequin Syndrome ◽

Va Ecmo

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Feasibility, safety, and resource utilisation of active mobilisation of patients on extracorporeal life support: a prospective observational study

Annals of Intensive Care ◽

10.1186/s13613-020-00776-3 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Stephan Braune ◽

Patrick Bojes ◽

Anne Mecklenburg ◽

Federico Angriman ◽

Gerold Soeffker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Critically Ill ◽

Critically Ill Patients ◽

Life Support ◽

Extracorporeal Life Support ◽

Median Number ◽

Activity Level ◽

Resource Utilisation ◽

Team Members ◽

Cannulation Site ◽

Va Ecmo

Abstract Background There is scarce evidence on the feasibility, safety and resource utilisation of active mobilisation in critically ill patients on extracorporeal life support (ECLS). Methods This prospective observational single-centre study included all consecutive critically ill patients on ECLS admitted to an academic centre in Germany over a time period of one year. The level of mobilisation was categorised according to the ICU Mobility Scale (IMS). Primary outcome was complications during mobilisation. Results During the study period, active mobilisation with an activity level on the IMS of ≥ 3 was performed at least on one occasion in 43 out of 115 patients (37.4%). A total of 332 mobilisations with IMS ≥ 3 were performed during 1242 ECLS days (26.7%). ECLS configurations applied were va-ECMO (n = 63), vv-ECMO (n = 26), vv-ECCO2R (n = 12), av-ECCO2R (n = 10), and RVAD (n = 4). Femoral cannulation had been in place in 108 patients (93.9%). The median duration of all mobilisation activities with IMS ≥ 3 was 130 min (IQR 44–215). All mobilisations were undertaken by a multi-professional ECLS team with a median number of 3 team members involved (IQR 3–4). Bleeding from cannulation site requiring transfusion and/or surgery occurred in 6.9% of actively mobilised patients and in 15.3% of non-mobilised patients. During one mobilisation episode, accidental femoral cannula displacement occurred with immediate and effective recannulation. Sedation was the major reason for non-mobilisation. Conclusions Active mobilisation (IMS ≥ 3) of ECLS patients undertaken by an experienced multi-professional team was feasible, and complications were infrequent and managed successfully. Larger prospective multicentre studies are needed to further evaluate early goal directed sedation and mobilisation bundles in patients on ECLS.

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