Comparison of Success Rate and Complications of Totally Percutaneous Decannulation in Patients With Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and Endovascular Aneurysm Repair

Ultrasound-guided closure of the femoral artery during venoarterial decannulation using a large-bore closure device

BACKGROUND

Peripheral femoro-femoral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is viable for fast hemodynamic assistance during cardiogenic shock. Ultrasound-guided closure with a large-bore device (MANTA®) is a feasible option potentially replacing surgical arteriotomy closure in peripheral VA-ECMO decannulation.

METHODS

This retrospective study included patients weaning from percutaneously inserted femoro-femoral VA-ECMO at the Helsinki University Hospital, Finland in 2012-2020. The primary endpoints were access-site complications, a composite of hematomas/seromas/surgical site infections (SSIs), and the safety endpoint of vascular complications (VCs).

RESULTS

A total of 100 consecutive percutaneously implanted and weaned VA-ECMO patients were stratified into two groups by decannulation strategy: percutaneous ultrasound-guided MANTA device (n = 21, 21.0%) or surgical approach (n = 79, 79.0%). The mean age of the cohort was 51 ± 13 years and females represented 25.0%. The technical success rate of the percutaneous ultrasound-guided MANTA technique was 95.2%. In multivariate analysis, surgical closure was associated with a higher incidence of combined access site hematomas/seromas/SSIs compared to percutaneous ultrasound-guided deployment of MANTA device (44.3% versus 9.5%, odds ratio (OR): 7.162, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.544-33.222; p = 0.012). Similarly, access-site complications necessitating interventions were more frequent in the surgical closure group compared to US-MANTA (ultrasound-guided MANTA) group (26.6% versus 0.0%, p = 0.005). VCs were infrequent in both groups without any significant intergroup difference (p > 0.99).

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous ultrasound-guided MANTA closure of the femoral artery after VA-ECMO decannulation was associated with high technical success rate and low incidence of VCs. Compared to surgical closure, access-site complications were significantly less frequent, along with access-site complications necessitating interventions.

Case report: Total percutaneous post-closure of femoral arterial access sites after veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) which is a form of circulatory and gas exchange support. Following VA-ECMO, total percutaneous closure of the site of femoral arterial puncture with perclose Proglide (PP) has become widespread, enhancing patient comfort and lessening the incidence of wound infections and lymphatic fistulas in a short closure time. The preclose technique with perclose Proglide provides numerous benefits, however, it prolongs extra time during the VA-ECMO procedure, adds additional post-operative care to workloads, and increases the potential for Proglide stitch infection. The modified technique-percutaneous post-closure, described here by a case of a 65-year-old man with heart attack who underwent VA-ECMO, is a simple, rapidly applied technique to wean VA-ECMO also suitable for emergency cannulation. The patient was administered mechanically ventilated and sedated and the femoral artery access site and evaluated by ultrasound for precise positioning, then the VA-ECMO arterial cannula was withdrawn, and a 0.035-in guidewire was left in the artery. The first set of sutures was deployed after the Proglide device was inserted over the guidewire. The second sutures were then replaced in the same way but at a different angle. After hemostasis was achieved, the guidewire was removed, and additional manual compression was used to control any residual blood seeping. No hematoma, pseudoaneurysm, major bleeding, minor bleeding, acute arterial thrombosis, arteriovenous fistula, groin infection, lymphocele, or arterial dissection and stenosis occurred during the periprocedural period or during the 30-day post-procedural follow-up. In conclusion, the standardized algorithm we established, total percutaneous post-closure of femoral arteriotomies utilizing Perclose ProGlide device is feasible and safe with a low incidence of access site complications.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation—First Strategy for Acute Life-Threatening Pulmonary Embolism

Background

Both venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) and percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy (PMT) are increasingly used to treat acute life-threatening pulmonary embolism (PE). However, there are little data regarding their effectiveness. This study aimed to present the short-term outcomes after managing nine patients with acute life-threatening massive or submassive PE by VA-ECMO with or without complemented PMT and propose a preliminary treatment algorithm.

Methods

This study was a single-center retrospective review of a prospectively maintained registry. It included nine consecutive patients with massive or submassive pulmonary embolism who underwent VA-ECMO for initial hemodynamic stabilization, with or without PMT, from August 2018 to November 2021.

Results

Mean patient age was 54.7 years. Four of nine patients (44.4%) required cardiopulmonary resuscitation before or during VA-ECMO cannulation. All cannulations (100%) were successfully performed percutaneously. Overall survival was 88.9% (8 of 9 patients). One patient died from a hemorrhagic stroke. Of the survivors, the median ECMO duration was 8 days in patients treated with ECMO alone and 4 days in those treated with EMCO and PMT. Five of nine patients (55.6%) required concomitant PMT to address persistent right heart dysfunction, with the remaining survivors (44.4%) receiving VA-ECMO and anticoagulation alone. For survivors receiving VA-ECMO plus PMT, median hospital lengths of stay were 7 and 13 days, respectively.

Conclusions

An ECMO-first strategy complemented with PMT can be performed effectively and safely for acute life-threatening massive or submassive PE. VA-ECMO is feasible for initial stabilization, serving as a bridge to therapy primarily in inoperable patients with massive PE. Further evaluation in a larger cohort of patients is warranted to assess whether VA-ECMO plus PMT may offer an alternative or complementary therapy to thrombolysis or surgical thrombectomy.

Type of Research

Single-center retrospective review of a prospectively maintained registry.