A novel strategy to reduce the recirculation of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: Inferior vena cava closure technology

The recirculation of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) will decrease the efficiency of respiratory support. We report a patient with refractory severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Even with the support of ECMO and mechanical ventilation (MV), it is still difficult to correct hypoxemia. In this case, we placed a balloon catheter above the ECMO drainage cannula in inferior vena cava (IVC), and then occlusion the IVC with the water-filled balloon. After the occlusion, the patient's hypoxemia was quickly improved, and angiography proved that the recirculation has been significantly reduced. In this case, IVC occlusion technology greatly reduces recirculation. Its advantages lie in simple operation, low cost, short term safety, which probably act as an innovative method to reduce recirculation.