BYPASS CANNULAS UTILIZED IN EXTRACORPOREAL MEMBRANE-OXYGENATION IN NEONATES - RADIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS

ECMO, as applied to neonates with severe respiratory failure, involves either a single or dual cannula system for removal of desaturated blo od from and return of oxygenated blood to the patient. ECMO cannulas h ave undergone considerable change and improvement since the early 1980 s, and a variety of cannulas are now available commercially for neonat al ECMO. All ECMO cannulas have a characteristic appearance on the che st radiograph, which is important in the assessment of cannula positio n and some cannula complications. We report the physical characteristi cs, advantages, disadvantages, and radiographic appearance of the most widely utilized neonatal ECMO cannulas.