Right axillary vein cannulation for percutaneous cardiopulmonary support

A 34-year-old male with a past history of permanent inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement was referred to us for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) was required for the lung hemorrhage and reperfusion injury, although the thromboendarterectomy was successfully completed. The arterial cannula was inserted into the femoral artery, and the venous cannula was inserted into the right axillary vein. The patient was weaned from PCPS 1 day after the operation and was discharged 35 days after the operation. Axillary vein cannulation is thought to be a feasible method when PCPS is required for a patient with previous IVC filter placement.