Tracheostomy Insertion During Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Do the Benefits Outweigh the Risks?

The evidence regarding tracheostomy insertion during venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) is scarce.1 The recent study by Kruit et al is therefore extremely welcome.2 They report a high incidence of bleeding (40%) associated with percutaneous tracheostomy insertion during VV-ECMO albeit with a low incidence of significant bleeding (8%). Systemic, procedural, and pathological bleeding is common during VV-ECMO and just as there are risks and benefits associated with therapeutic anticoagulation, so too there are for percutaneous tracheostomy insertion during VV-ECMO (Table 1).
Source: Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia - Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research