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

Abstract

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.