Add-on Therapies in VA-ECMO for Cardiogenic Shock: The Heart Recovers, Yet Other Organs Suffer

2022
Written By CCRG

Heinsar S, Farah SM, Fraser JF. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2022 Jul;36(7):2246. DOI: 10.1053/j.jvca.2022.03.005

Background: As described in this paper and elsewhere, increased afterload due to retrograde flow from VA ECMO can lead to left ventricular (LV) distention, cause subendocardial ischemia, or prevent aortic valve opening, with subsequent thrombosis and embolic events. As a result, the goal of unloading the left ventricle through the use of 2 mechanical devices is growing in popularity.

CCRG
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