Percutaneous bi-atrial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for acute circulatory support in advanced heart failure

Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2015 May;85(6):1097-9. doi: 10.1002/ccd.25791. Epub 2015 Jan 13.

Abstract

Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) may improve survival after cardiac arrest by providing cardiopulmonary support. However, VA-ECMO increases left ventricular (LV) afterload, which can promote progressive LV distension and often requires a secondary approach to reduce LV pressure and volume in patients with left heart failure. We report a case of biventricular unloading via biatrial cannulation in the presence of LV thrombus using a TandemHeart percutaneous trans-septal cannula for VA-ECMO in an adult patient with refractory ventricular fibrillation.

Keywords: ECMO/IABP/Tandem/Impella; cardiogenic; heart failure; mechanical circulatory support; shock; ventricular assist device.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Disease Progression
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal / methods
  • Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation / methods*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Heart Failure / diagnostic imaging*
  • Heart Failure / physiopathology
  • Heart Failure / therapy*
  • Heart-Assist Devices*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Ventricular Fibrillation / diagnosis
  • Ventricular Fibrillation / therapy*