Rupture of the common carotid artery after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation may be life saving but may result in serious complications. We report a rupture of the carotid artery secondary to fungal infection of the cannulation site in a pediatric patient requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation while awaiting a heart transplant. Prompt diagnosis and surgery resulted in a favorable outcome.