Managing Harlequin Syndrome in VA-ECMO – do not forget the right ventricle
James Wilson, Richard Fisher, Francisca Caetano, Hatem Soliman-Aboumarie, Brijesh Patel, Stéphane Ledot, Susanna Price, Christophe Vandenbriele
Abstract
Harlequin Syndrome (also known as North-South Syndrome) is a complication of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) that can occur when left ventricular function starts to recover. While most commonly due to continued impaired gas exchange in the lungs, we present a case caused by right ventricular dysfunction, successfully managed by conversion of the ECMO circuit to a veno-veno-arterial (VV-A) configuration.
Topics & Concepts
MedicineExtracorporeal membrane oxygenationVentricleCardiologyComplicationInternal medicineSurgeryMechanical Circulatory Support DevicesCardiac Arrhythmias and TreatmentsRestraint-Related Deaths