CTICasesPulmonary Artery Vent (ECMO)
Imaging findings
A patient on central VA ECMO has three cannulas: aortic, right atrial, and a third cannula venting the pulmonary artery. The CT shows poor contrast opacification of the pulmonary arteries.
Key takeaways
A pulmonary artery vent is used to decompress the right heart. Because this cannula constantly pulls blood out of the pulmonary circulation, it is practically impossible to perform a diagnostic CT pulmonary angiogram (PE protocol) on these patients, as the injected contrast is immediately removed.
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