Blalock-Taussig operation with an assist of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Three infants with congenital cyanotic heart disease encountered severe hypoxemia during a Blalock-Taussig shunt procedure using a right thoracotomy approach. Pericardiotomy was performed and venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was instituted using right atrial canulation. The shunt procedure was completed with good oxygenation and hemodynamic stability in all cases. Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation can be easily established in the right thorax, and is an effective support technique for unexpected hypoxemia encountered during systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt operations.