Percutaneous removal using Perclose ProGlide closure devices versus surgical removal for weaning after percutaneous cannulation for venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Objective: The removal of arterial cannulas using a Perclose device (Abbott Vascular, Clonmel, Tipperary, Ireland) has not been reported in patients undergoing venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). We investigated the procedural outcomes and complications of percutaneous device closure vs surgical repair for hemostatic control of the arterial access site in weaning from venoarterial ECMO. Methods: Between September 2012 and December 2014, 115 patients with ECMO weaned by percutaneous or surgical access were enrolled. The percutaneous technique used two ProGlide devices (Abbott Vascular) by direct puncture of an arterial cannula at the time of weaning off ECMO. The primary outcomes were composite complications of open repair at the insertion site, limb ischemia after removal of the arterial cannula, removal site infection, pseudoaneurysm, distal part embolization, and 10 minutes or more manual compression at the weaning site. Results: The percutaneous technique was performed on 56 patients, and the surgical exposure technique was performed on 59. Technical success was not significantly different between the percutaneous and surgical groups (85.7% vs 86.4%; P = 1.0) although the procedure duration (17.15 +/- 9.38 minutes vs 64.33 +/- 31.67 minutes; P < .001) was shorter in the percutaneous access group. A composite of procedure-related complications and length of stay in the intensive care unit after weaning was not significantly different between groups (17.9% vs 28.8%; P = .19 and 16.82 +/- 38.53 days vs 19.69 +/- 21.40 days; P = .62). Conclusions: Percutaneous access using two Perclose ProGlide devices was a feasible and safe strategy for weaning from ECMO.