Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is becoming a common procedure to support patients with severe cardio-circulatory or respiratory failure as well as in case of combined compromise of the two systems. Deciding which ECMO configuration and proceeding with an uneventful implantation, however, may present minor or major shortcomings. Cannulation techniques should be tailored to specific patient conditions to provide sufficient regional and systemic perfusion, both of which must be comprehensively monitored. Changes in the patient’s status or suboptimal ECMO-related support, however, may occur and should trigger re-appraisal of the cannulation strategy and circuit configuration.

Read More