Percutaneous Cannulation for Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO): A Method for Pig Experimental Models

Pigs are often used for experimental models of cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest or acute lung injury with veno-arterial (VA) or veno-venous (VV) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) implementation. Percutaneous (as opposed to surgical) cannulation in experimental models has potential advantages, including, less surgical trauma or stressful stimuli and less bleeding complications when compared to open chest cannulation. However, pig anatomy can also be a challenge because of the deep location and angled anatomy of the femoral artery. The Seldinger technique and the use of a percutaneous cannulation kit is feasible in pigs.Summarized here we present (Graphical Abstract): • Percutaneous ECMO cannulation method for non-cardiac surgeon. • Establishment of this simple and rapid methods for pig experimental models. • Predictable complications of this method.