Know the Common Problems Associated With Cardiopulmonary Support Using Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation



Know the Common Problems Associated With Cardiopulmonary Support Using Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation


Andrew L. Rosenberg MD



Venoarterial extracorporeal life support (VA ECMO) is among the more advanced methods to temporarily support patients with either cardiac or cardiac and pulmonary failure until patient recovery, assist device implantation, or transplant. The indications and contraindications for this type of support are listed in Table 95.1. Managing these patients is challenging, and sophisticated teams of perfusionists, intensivists, and surgeons are required. The advantages of using ECMO instead of a ventricular assist device include



  • the ability to cannulate patients at a bedside


  • immediate biventricular support


  • both cardiac and pulmonary support


  • ability to assess patients off ECMO prior to decannulation


  • ability to change to venovenous cannulation if hemodynamic failure improves while pulmonary support is still required








TABLE 95-1 INDICATIONS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS OF ADULT ECMO


























INDICATIONS CONTRAINDICATIONS
Cardiogenic shock Unwitnessed cardiac arrest
Cardiac trauma Aortic insufficiency
Respiratory insufficiency Aortic dissection
Status asthmaticus Cardiac arrest >30 minutes
Smoke inhalation No correctable anatomic defect
Massive pulmonary embolism Terminal illness
Donor heart preservation Severe diabetes mellitus
Severe peripheral vascular disease
Recent cerebrovascular accident

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Jul 1, 2016 | Posted by in ANESTHESIA | Comments Off on Know the Common Problems Associated With Cardiopulmonary Support Using Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

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