Feasibility of using the ProtekDuo cannula in V-P ECMO and PROpella configurations during ground and air transport.

INTRODUCTION

Use of the ProtekDuo cannula has been described for right ventricular assist devices (RVADs) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) systems.

CASE REPORT: We describe remote cannulation and transport of two patients with ProtekDuo cannula. One patient had isolated acute right ventricular failure (aRVF), was cannulated with ProtekDuo cannula in venopulmonary (V-P) configuration and transported by ambulance. Another patient had biventricular failure after myocardial infarction, was supported with ProtekDuo and Impella CP in PROpella configuration, and transported by helicopter.

DISCUSSION: We appear to be the first group to report remote cannulation using the ProtekDuo cannula followed by ambulance and helicopter transport, which were performed without complication. We describe the pros and cons of these configurations in comparison to the gold standard of shock management with venoarterial ECMO, as well as important considerations for transport.

CONCLUSION

Use of the ProtekDuo cannula for remote cannulations and transport is feasible and appears safe.