Carotid artery reconstruction in neonates receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: a 4-year follow-up study. Western Canadian ECMO Follow-Up Group.

Although venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an accepted form of cardiopulmonary support for critically ill neonates, carotid artery reconstruction (CAR) after decannulation remains controversial. Long-term follow-up information regarding the natural progression of the anastomosis is unavailable. From January 1990 through December 1990, 13 venoarterial neonatal ECMO survivors had CAR performed and were enrolled into this prospective study based on sonographic follow-up of CAR. A total of 34 carotid artery sonographic studies were performed (13 within 1 week after reconstruction, 8 at 6 to 9 months, and 13 at 4 years of age). A high patency rate during the neonatal period was observed (12 of 13, 92%). Among 12 children with normal neonatal sonographic studies, 5 had completely normal studies during 4 years of follow-up. Narrowing at the anastomotic site (defined as structural narrowing with velocity ratio of peak systolic velocity at the anastomosis to peak systolic velocity proximal to the anastomosis > 1.0 but < or =2.0) by 4 years of age developed in 7 children. Two of these 7 children had hemodynamically significant stenotic anastomosis (defined as structural narrowing with velocity ratio >2.0) by 4 years of age. One neonate had a narrowed anastomosis that resolved completely by the age of 4 years. The incidence of normal studies decreased from 92% to 75% to 46% during the neonatal period, at 6 to 9 months, and at 4 years follow-up, respectively (Chi-square test for trend, P < .01). Long-term follow-up information on the natural progression of carotid reanastomosis is required.