title: Left ventricular decompression during peripheral extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support with the use of the novel iVAC pulsatile paracorporeal assist device.
abstract: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has become a widely accepted short-term mechanical circulatory support device in patients with refractory cardiogenic shock. A major drawback of the peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is that in patients with profoundly reduced left ventricular contractility associated with high left-heart filling pressure, there is always concern for venting the failing ventricle. We describe a minimally invasive technique for decompressing the left ventricle in this setting using a novel pulsatile paracorporeal assist device, the iVAC 3L (PulseCath, Groningen, The Netherlands). It is implanted through the right axillary artery and provides hemodynamic support while directly off-loading the left ventricle.
authors: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: Kyriakos
authors: K
authors: Anastasiadis
authors: Omiros
authors: O
authors: Chalvatzoulis
authors: Polychronis
authors: P
authors: Antonitsis
authors: Paschalis
authors: P
authors: Tossios
authors: Christos
authors: C
authors: Papakonstantinou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D015199:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation / Q000009:adverse effects; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*