Bypass cannulas utilized in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in neonates: radiographic findings

ECMO, as applied to neonates with severe respiratory failure, involves either a single or dual cannula system for removal of desaturated blood from and return of oxygenated blood to the patient. ECMO cannulas have undergone considerable change and improvement since the early 1980s, and a variety of cannulas are now available commercially for neonatal ECMO. All ECMO cannulas have a characteristic appearance on the chest radiograph, which is important in the assessment of cannula position and some cannula complications. We report the physical characteristics, advantages, disadvantages, and radiographic appearance of the most widely utilized neonatal ECMO cannulas.