Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO): Radiographic appearances, complications and imaging artefacts for radiologists.

ABSTRACT

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a form of cardiopulmonary support primarily used in cardiothoracic and intensive care unit (ICU) settings. The purpose of this review is to familiarise radiologists with the imaging features of ECMO devices, their associated complications and appropriate imaging protocols for contrast-enhanced CT imaging of ECMO patients. This paper will provide a brief introduction to ECMO and the imaging modalities utilised in ECMO patients, followed by a description of the types of ECMO available and cannula positioning. Indications and contraindications for ECMO will be outlined followed by a description of the complications associated with ECMO, which radiologists should recognise. Finally, the imaging protocol and interpretation of contrast-enhanced CT imaging in ECMO patients will be discussed. In the current clinical climate with millions of COVID-19 cases around the world and tens of thousands of critically ill patients, many requiring cardiopulmonary support in intensive care units, the use of ECMO in adults has increased, and thus so has the volume of imaging. Radiologists need to be familiar with the types of ECMO available, the correct positioning of the catheters depending on the type of ECMO being utilised, and the associated complications and imaging artefacts.