Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Cannulation Training: A Step Forward in Establishing Essential Safe Cannulation Practices
Abstract
The worldwide volume of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is increasing annually, with 23,063 runs performed in 2025.¹ The distribution of training backgrounds for ECMO operators is broad—it is a group comprised of cardiothoracic surgeons, vascular surgeons, cardiologists, or intensivists. Given this variety of training backgrounds, baseline skill sets can vary. Percutaneous cannulation is now the more predominant cannulation strategy over an open surgical approach, and generally confers a lower risk of in hospital mortality, cannulation site bleeding, and site infection than the open surgical approach, with a severe limb ischemia rate of 5%.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Mechanical Circulatory Support Devices
Cardiac Arrest and Resuscitation
Cardiac and Coronary Surgery Techniques
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Cardiac Failure - Intersections
- Volume
- 2
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 145–146
- Publication date
- 13 February 2026
- Language
- EN