Prevention of limb ischemia and edema during peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in adults.

Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is a mechanical circulatory support indicated for the advanced treatment of refractory heart failure. The cannulation of the femoral vessels may be complicated by distal limb ischemia by arterial hypoperfusion and severe edema by venous obstruction. We describe a modified cannulation technique in order to prevent ischemia and edema of the inferior limb during VA-ECMO.