Ipsilateral dual cannulation is associated with wound complications following veno-arterial ECMO decannulation

Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) is a well-established treatment for severe cardio-pulmonary failure. The use of large bore cannulas in the femoral vessels for an extended period has been associated with significant wound complications. There is a lack of data analyzing risk factors that can mitigate such complications. The primary purpose of this study was to identify modifiable risk factors associated with femoral wound complications after VA ECMO decannulation.

Retrospective analysis of wound complications in patients following VA ECMO decannulation from 2014-2021 at a single academic institution were analyzed. Wound complications were defined as wound infection, dehiscence, or those wounds that were deliberately opened to promote healing by secondary intention.

Sixty patients underwent decannulation of VA ECMO with operative repair of the femoral artery. Fifteen patients were identified to have wound complications, eight (53%) of these had infection. Fourteen (93%) patients had wound dehiscence or had their wound purposely opened at bedside. Univariate analysis revealed no association of access-related complication with higher Body Mass Index (BMI, 28.3 vs. 32.7 kg/m², P=0.110) but here was a trend in having more wound complications in individuals with COVID-19 infection (6.7% vs. 26.7%, P=0.058). Patients that had dual cannulation with the arterial and venous cannulas in the same groin had significantly more wound complications compared to single cannulation arterial and venous cannulas in separate groins (57.8% vs. 93.3%; P=0.012). Multivariate analysis revealed same side cannulation (OR 18.05, 95% CI 1.44-226.18, P=0.025) and COVID-19 infection (OR 18.18, 95% CI 1.50-220.66, P=0.023) were independent predictors of wound complications.

Wound complications after VA ECMO decannulation is associated with COVID-19 infection and having venous and arterial cannulas in the same groin. We recommend that the arterial and venous cannulation be placed in different groins in patients that require VA ECMO.