Malposition of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cannulas in patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

We describe two infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia who underwent extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and in whom the venous cannula was in the left atrium instead of the right. The routine radiograph of the chest failed to demonstrate the malposition. We recommend using the echocardiogram to confirm the position of the cannula or to guide the surgeon during the cannulation of patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia.