P87: Fracture Of A Dual Lumen Protekduo Cannula With Ventricular Perforation And Tamponade In A Recovery COVID-19 Patient

Abstract

Background: In the absence of formal registry data anecdotal reports of cannula complications provide the only mechanism of risk assessment in the extended use of short term mechanical circulatory support devices. We report an unrecognized cannula fracture with perforation of the right ventricular apex and subsequent tamponade at the time of de-cannulation. Methods and Results: Patient is a 38 yo AAF with a history of asthma diagnosed with COVID 19 (nasal PCR) and admitted to an OSH with hypoxia (O2 sat 70%) and progressive dyspnea on exertion requiring HFNC and subsequent deployment of a right internal jugular 29 Fr Protek-DUO double lumen cannula with in-line oxygenator for venovenous ECMO respiratory support. After 36 days of VV ECMO support and mechanical ventilation, the patient was transferred with a diagnosis of COVID ARDS for transplant evaluation. Fourteen days post-transfer the patient was ambulatory and no longer required mechanical ventilation. No flow related issues were noted during the entire period of ECMO support (flow 2.8 to 3.4 L/min, delta P 20 mmHg or less, single oxygenator exchange on ECMO day 38). On ECMO day 67 the patients CxR was clear (Figure 1) and the RIJ cannula was removed without complication. Approximately two minutes after cannula removal the patient became unresponsive with tachycardia and hypotension (SBP 60 mmHg) which initially responded to volume resuscitation. With progressive loss of systolic blood pressure chest compressions were started with complete hemodynamic collapse. A transthoracic ECHO suggested tamponade and the chest was opened at the bedside demonstrating a chronic appearing hematoma with blood extravasation at the apex of the right ventricle (Figure 2). Bleeding was controlled with a single prolene stitch. Subsequent examination of the cannula demonstrated a fracture in the wire reinforced cannula at the point where the catheter transitioned from the apical RV into the RVOT (Figure 3). Conclusion: Given the progressive pulmonary hypertension frequently seen with prolonged COVID ECMO support, the RA to PA dual-lumen cannula has proven an effective MCS strategy (1) with survival advantage when compared to standard VV ECMO support (2). The Protek-DUO cannula was not designed for prolonged ambulatory MCS (> 60 days). Given the recent report of a seemingly identical cannula fracture event (3), clinicians should be aware of the potential for cannula fracture over time. Literature Cited (1) Mustafa AK, et al. (2020) ECMO for patients with COVID-19 in severe respiratory failure. JAMA Surg 155(10):990-992. (2) Saeed O, et al (2022) Outcomes by cannulation method for venovenous ECMO during COVID-19: a multicenter retrospective study. 46(8):1659-1668. doi: 10.1111/aor.14213. (3) Odish MF, et al (2022) Fracture right atrial-pulmonary artery cannula (Protek-DUO) in a 164-day extracorporeal membrane oxygenation bridge to lung transplant. doi: 10.1097/MAT.0000000000001879. Online ahead of print.