Ischemic complications after percutaneous decannulation of veno‐arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (va‐ECMO) are not rare and can lead to significant morbidity or even mortality in case of delayed diagnosis or treatment. A possible cause of thromboembolic complications is the formation of thrombus between in the short segment between the large bore retrograde arterial cannula of va‐ECMO and the antegrade limb perfusion sheath due to absence of blood flow (dead space). In this case report, we demonstrate a new technique of flushing the dead space to prevent embolic complications during va‐ECMO decannulation.

This study sought to evaluate a new method that uses injection of fibrin sealant under simultaneous balloon occlusion for the treatment of postinterventional access site bleeding complications. With the rising complexity of interventional procedures, iatrogenic false aneurysms and active bleeding has become more common. In general, these complications are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, especially if surgical repair is required. Although high success rates are reported for ultrasound‐guided compression and ultrasound‐guided thrombin injection, these methods are not always feasible. All procedures of fibrin sealant injection under simultaneous balloon occlusion for the treatment of postinterventional access site bleeding complications or pseudoaneurysm were prospectively collected. Additional data were retrospectively obtained and analyzed for all patients treated by this new method. In total, 53 patients were included from 2018 to 2021. Most of the access site complications were related to transcatheter aortic valve replacement (40%) or percutaneous coronary intervention (21%), but also to a wide variety of other procedures. Of the 53 patients, 30 had to be treated for false aneurysms and 23 for active bleeding. A high primary success rate of 94% was achieved. Recurrences of false aneurysms occurred in six patients, of which only one needed open surgical repair. Regarding complications, two peripheral embolisms, thereof one requiring additional stent implantation occurred. Balloon‐assisted thrombin injection seems to be feasible and safe. It provides a new alternative to prevent surgery for patients where common techniques are unavailable or have failed.

Interenteric fistulae after pylorus-preserving pancreatic head resection have not been reported so far. Impaired synchronization of gastric emptying and bile secretion could be a possible cause of autodigestion in the anastomosis region.