Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) and Iliac Vein Injury

Abstract

The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has increased after the 2009 pandemic H1N1 infections, and the ECMO-related complications have also increased. Specifically, the mechanical vessel injury due to catheter cannulation seems to be less frequent than other complications, but there is a risk of hemorrhagic shock which requires special attention. We experienced a case of successful management with graft stenting during ECMO operation for iliac vein injury. A 56-year-old female patient with non-small cell lung cancer developed endobronchial obstruction, and ECMO was applied for the ECMO-assisted rigid bronchoscopy. During catheter cannulation, hypovolemic shock was developed due to her right external iliac vein injury. We detected the hemorrhage with bedside ultrasound at an early stage and the hemorrhage was effectively managed with graft stenting on ECMO.