Pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: Our experience with single-vessel cannulation

Abstract

Background: In this study, we present our experience with bicaval, dual-lumen, venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in pediatric patients with severe respiratory failure. Methods: Between September 2015 and May 2019, a total of nine pediatric patients (7 males, 2 females; median age 3.1 years; range, 0.3 to 7.4 years) hospitalized in the pediatric intensive care unit due to severe respiratory failure who were cannulated using a bicaval, dual-lumen, venovenous catheter were retrospectively analyzed. Patient demographics, cannulation details, complication of catheter use, and outcomes were recorded. Results: The median duration of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support was nine (range, 2 to 32) days. One patient required conversion to venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and one patient required conversion to conventional double-cannulated venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Of the patients, 33% suffered from bleeding complications. There were no cannula- or circuit-related complications. Adequate oxygenation and flow were obtained in all patients, except one. No mortalities were directly associated with the cannulation strategy used. Conclusion: The bicaval, dual-lumen cannula can be safely used in pediatric patients with minimal complication rates and is our preferred method for venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support.