Liver Injury Due to Penetration of the Common Iliac Vein by an Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Cannula

Abstract

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) cannulas inserted through the femoral vein can stray into the ascending lumbar vein. No case has been reported in which the cannula has penetrated the common iliac vein and entered the abdominal cavity. A 52-year-old man was brought to the emergency room with ventricular fibrillation, and the cannula inserted from the left femoral vein for extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation penetrated the common iliac vein, passed between the pancreas and horizontal portion of the duodenum, and entered the abdominal cavity to reach the hepatic left lateral lobe. The cannula was removed, and organ damage was confirmed through laparotomy. When it is necessary to remove a cannula that has penetrated a vessel, surgical removal is preferable to evaluate the damage and prevent complications associated with removal.