Pediatr Crit Care Me
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Dec 2023
ReviewVascular Reconstruction After Cannulation for Support With Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Literature Review of Data in the Pediatric Population.
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. ⋯ 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.