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Updated: Nov 10, 2025

Insertion, Maintenance, and Removal of the Percutaneous Dual Lumen Cannula Right Ventricular Assist Device
Published on: July 20, 2022
Utilisation of RAM cannula for non-invasive respiratory support for infants in the cardiac ICU
Ashish Saini1, Kevin O Maher2, Shriprasad R Deshpande3
1Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Insights
The nasal prong (RAM) cannula safely supports infants with congenital heart disease needing respiratory support, with a 69.5% success rate. Successful use can shorten intensive care unit stays.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Critical Care
- Cardiology
- Respiratory Support
Background:
- Infants with congenital heart disease (CHD) often experience pulmonary insufficiency.
- Prolonged ventilatory support is frequently required, particularly post-operatively.
- Non-invasive ventilatory support is increasingly utilized for these vulnerable patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utilization of the nasal prong (RAM) cannula.
- To assess the safety and outcomes of RAM cannula use.
- To determine its role in escalating and de-escalating respiratory support in infants with CHD.
Main Methods:
- A single-centre retrospective cohort study was conducted.
- Patients were supported using the RAM cannula.
- Data were analyzed for 275 instances of RAM cannula use, with stratification into escalation and de-escalation groups.
Main Results:
- The overall success rate for RAM cannula use was 69.5% (66.1% in escalation, 72.8% in de-escalation).
- Predictors of success included specific baseline and post-intervention oxygenation and ventilation parameters, and absence of chest X-ray worsening.
- Successful RAM cannula support was linked to significantly shorter intensive care unit stays.
Conclusions:
- The RAM cannula is a safe option for non-invasive respiratory support in infants within the cardiac ICU.
- It can be effectively used for both escalating and de-escalating respiratory support needs.
- Identifying success factors aids in optimizing patient selection and timing for non-invasive ventilation.
Background:
Children with CHD carry an additional burden of pulmonary insufficiency, often necessitating prolonged ventilatory support, especially in the peri-operative phase. There has been an increase in the utilisation of non-invasive ventilatory support for these children. The objective of this study was to evaluate the utilisation, safety, and outcomes of RAM cannula as a tool for escalation and de-escalation of respiratory support in paediatric cardiac patients less than one year of age.
Methods:
A single-centre retrospective cohort study of patients supported with RAM cannula.
Results:
A total of 275 instances of RAM use were included in the study, 81.1% being post-operative. Patients were stratified into escalation and de-escalation cohorts based on the indication of non-invasive ventilation. The success rate of using RAM cannula was 69.5% overall, 66.1% in the escalation group, and 72.8% in the de-escalation group. At baseline, age at cardiac ICU admission >30 days, FiO2 ≤ 40%, PaCO2 ≤ 50 mmHg; and after 12 hours of non-invasive ventilation support respiratory rate ≤ 60/min, PaO2 ≥ 50 mmHg, PaCO2 ≤ 50 mmHg; and absence of worsening on follow-up chest X-ray predicted the success with a sensitivity of 95% in the logistic regression model. Successful support was associated with a significantly shorter unit stay.
Conclusions:
RAM cannula can be safely used to provide non-invasive support to infants in the cardiac ICU for escalation and de-escalation of respiratory support. Factors associated with success can be used to make decisions about candidacy and appropriate timing of non-invasive ventilation use to maximise effectiveness.
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