Pediatr Crit Care Me
-
Pediatr Crit Care Me · Jan 2009
Comparative StudyEchocardiography, not chest radiography, for evaluation of cannula placement during pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
Optimal cannula position is essential during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). We hypothesize that echocardiography is superior to chest radiography in diagnosing abnormal cannula position during ECMO. ⋯ Echocardiography appears to be superior to chest radiography for assessing ECMO cannula position in our institution. A prospective study, including cost analysis, comparing chest radiography and echocardiography, is needed to definitely determine the preferred diagnostic test or sequence of tests to establish ECMO cannula position.