A novel veno-arteriovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation with double pump for the treatment of Harlequin syndrome.

Objectives: The Harlequin syndrome is a complication observed in patients receiving peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. This condition is defined as a critical variation in the oxygen saturation between the upper and the lower part of the body deriving from a poor lung function.

Methods: Between July 2018 and November 2019, a total of 60 patients (42 men and 18 women; mean age 57.

Weaning from venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation without anticoagulation: is it possible?

A 19-year-old man affected with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome that was unresponsive to medical treatment was successfully weaned without anticoagulation therapy from venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) because of life-threatening bleeding. The patient received venovenous ECMO with double peripheral cannulation. Heparin infusion was discontinued on day 10 for severe bleeding from thoracic and mediastinal drainages until the ECMO was removed.