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Managing Harlequin Syndrome in VA-ECMO - do not forget the right ventricle
James Wilson1, Richard Fisher1, Francisca Caetano1
1Department of Adult Intensive Care, Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Abstract:
Harlequin Syndrome (also known as North-South Syndrome) is a complication of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) that can occur when left ventricular function starts to recover. While most commonly due to continued impaired gas exchange in the lungs, we present a case caused by right ventricular dysfunction, successfully managed by conversion of the ECMO circuit to a veno-veno-arterial (VV-A) configuration.
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