A simple technique of distal limb perfusion during prolonged femoro-femoral cannulation.
OBJECTIVE
Cannulation of the femoral vessels for cardiopulmonary support is a common approach for many cardiac procedures as well as access of choice for many emergency bypass systems such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. A serious complication of prolonged femoral cannulation remains the ischemic injury of the distal limb.


METHODS
To minimize the incidence of ischemia in the cannulated leg, we have begun to provide antegrade femoral blood flow by placing a vascular introducer percutaneously distal to the arterial cannula into the superficial femoral artery and connecting it to the side port of the arterial line.


CONCLUSIONS
This technique of distal limb perfusion was found to be safe and effective in preventing lower limb ischemia for patients with prolonged femoral cannulation for extracorporeal circulatory support.
Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Friedrich-Schiller University, Jena, Germany. Navid.Madershahian@med.uni-jena.de
Navid
N
Madershahian
Ragi
R
Nagib
Jens
J
Wippermann
Justus
J
Strauch
Thorsten
T
Wahlers
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D015199:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation / Q000379:methods*; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005269:Femur / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010477:Perfusion / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex