%0 Journal Article
%T Dual-Lumen Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Cannulation Technique Using Only Transthoracic Echocardiography - A Case Series.
%A Huang L
%A Wu LL
%A Ding YF
%A Zhou QS
%A Tang KY
%A Ng PY
%A Sin WC
%J J Intensive Care Med
%V 0
%N 0
%D 2024 Jul 23
%M 39043369
%F 2.889
%R 10.1177/08850666241264231
%X BACKGROUND: Bicaval dual lumen cannula (DLC) is gaining popularity in veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-V ECMO) for having less recirculation and facilitating mobilization. It is usually inserted under fluoroscopic or transesophageal echocardiographic guidance to prevent potentially fatal complications. Thus, their utilization was limited during the COVID-19 outbreak due to stringent quarantine policy and manpower shortage, especially when emergency insertion was required.
OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience on DLC insertion using transthoracic echocardiography alone during the pandemic, with a focus on safety considerations by using detail step-by-step procedural guide.
RESULTS: Four patients were performed V-V ECMO using the transthoracic echocardiographic-guided DLC cannulation technique during the fifth wave of the COVID-19 outbreak, with no cannulation-related complications.
CONCLUSIONS: Transthoracic echocardiographic guidance for DLC insertion is feasible and probably safe with a detailed guide, which can be adopted as a supplementary tool during future endemic outbreaks.