title: Choosing wisely - when to mend a broken heart with ECMO?
abstract: Refractory cardiac shock in the cardiac surgical intensive care unit confers significant morbidity and mortality. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has become a common intervention for refractory cardiogenic shock when other therapies have failed. However, it is difficult to predict who will benefit from this costly, resource-intensive, but potentially life-saving technology. Here, we discuss the utility of a novel biomarker, serum butylcholinesterase, in determining survival in patients supported with ECMO following cardiac surgery.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stephens
authors.forename: Eddy
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fan
mesh_terms: D002091:Butyrylcholinesterase / Q000097:blood*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000401:mortality*; D013504:Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures / Q000401:mortality*; D015199:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D002091:Butyrylcholinesterase