Overview of the bicaval dual lumen cannula

Vanessa Marie Bazan; Evan Michael Taylor; Tyler Michael Gunn; Joseph Bertram Zwischenberger

doi:10.1007/s12055-020-00932-1

Overview of the bicaval dual lumen cannula

Indian J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2021 Apr;37(Suppl 2):232-240. doi: 10.1007/s12055-020-00932-1. Epub 2020 Mar 31.

Authors

Vanessa Marie Bazan¹, Evan Michael Taylor¹, Tyler Michael Gunn², Joseph Bertram Zwischenberger³

Affiliations

¹ University of Kentucky, College of Medicine, Lexington, KY USA.
² Graduate Medical Education, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Lexington, KY USA.
³ Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Lexington, KY USA.

Abstract

Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) is a form of extracorporeal life support that provides total gas exchange (CO2 and O2) within the central venous circulation. The bicaval dual lumen cannula (DLC) is an option for patients requiring respiratory support with VV-ECMO. The catheter is inserted via the internal jugular vein into the superior and inferior vena cava, drains blood into the ECMO circuit for gas exchange, and then returns arterialized blood to the right heart for circulation. The DLC facilitates physical therapy, ambulation, and early extubation. This chapter will review the uses, advantages, and unique complications of the DLC.

Keywords: Ambulatory extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; Dual lumen cannula; Dual lumen catheter (DLC); Neonate; Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO).

Publication types

Review