Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a strong mechanical circulatory device for patients with hemodynamic deterioration due to cardiogenic shock, but its drawback is an increase in left ventricular afterload. The Impella axial-flow transcatheter left ventricular assist device is a recently developed promising device to mechanically unload the left ventricle, although its support flow may not necessarily be sufficient to support shock vital. Recently, ECMO and concomitant Impella support (ECPELLA) is increasingly being used to treat cardiogenic shock by maintaining systemic circulation and unloading the left ventricle. There are several pitfalls to maintaining ECPELLA, and one useful tool is the pulmonary artery pulsatility index. The clinical advantages of ECPELLA compared to conventional ECMO alone should be demonstrated in larger scale studies in the near future.
Keywords: Heart failure; Hemodynamics; Unloading.