Isolated Left Ventricular Failure is a Predictor of Poor Outcome in Patients Receiving Veno-Arterial ECMO

onlinelibrary.wiley.com March 13, 2018

Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (va-ECMO) is increasingly and successfully used to assist patients with refractory cardiogenic shock from different causes. A total of 132 va-ECMO patients were enrolled. Thirty-four patients (26%) had isolated LV failure, 29 (22%) had isolated RV failure, and 69 (52%) had biventricular failure. Isolated left ventricular failure was an independent predictor for 90-day outcome. This finding might be helpful in risk stratification and questions the routine use of va-ECMO in patients with refractory pure LV failure.