Vascular Reconstruction After Cannulation for Support With Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Literature Review of Data in the Pediatric Population

OBJECTIVES: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an invaluable life-support resource in the treatment of critically ill children. Traditionally, neck vascular cannulation requires ligation of the carotid artery and jugular vein. In this literature review, we identify rates of postoperative vessel patency, complications, and neurologic outcomes after vascular reconstruction following decannulation. DATA SOURCES: Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Review. STUDY SELECTION: No publication date limits. Inclusion criteria comprised of studies addressing repair of the carotid artery and jugular vein after ECMO decannulation and outcomes from this procedure. DATA EXTRACTION: Authors identified publications on vascular reconstruction after ECMO decannulation, including possible technical considerations, complications, and outcomes. DATA SYNTHESIS: We identified 18 articles: 13 studies were limited to the neonatal population. The largest series included 51 patients after vascular reconstruction. The rate of postoperative arterial occlusion ranged from 11.8% to 17.8%, and overall patency rate postoperatively was 78.6%. No major thromboembolic events were reported. One study demonstrated an increase in neuroimaging abnormalities for patients undergoing ligation compared with vascular reconstruction. No studies demonstrated differences in functional neurodevelopmental testing. CONCLUSIONS: Vascular reconstruction after ECMO decannulation has been reported since 1990. Although reconstruction does not appear to carry significant short-term morbidity, there are no large prospective studies or randomized controlled trials demonstrating its efficacy in improving neurologic outcomes in ECMO patients. There is also a paucity of data regarding outcomes in older children or long-term ramifications of vascular reconstruction.