Innovations : technology and techniques in cardiothoracic and vascular surgery
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Innovations (Phila) · Nov 2010
Thromboembolic events in patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation without anticoagulation.
: Heparinization is thought to be mandatory to avoid thromboembolic complications during venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). However, bleeding complications are common. We report our experience of VA-ECMO without systemic anticoagulation. ⋯ : VA-ECMO support without systemic anticoagulation may reduce bleeding complications and transfusion requirement, without increasing the risk of thromboembolism.