Left Ventricle Unloading in Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane
Oxygenation: A Literature Review
Abstract
Veno-Arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) is an
effective circulatory aid device, which has been increasingly used in
extracorporeal life mechanical support for rescuing shock caused by
various causes. However, it is generally agreed that V-A ECMO has
significantly increased the left ventricular afterload of the supported
heart during operation, resulting in limited aortic valve opening,
increased intracardiac pressure, and A series of adverse outcomes of
left ventricular dilation. If not duly assessment and intervention
enough, the recovery of cardiac function is delayed. Based on the
hemodynamic characteristics of V-A ECMO, we review the whole spectrum of
Left ventricle unloading (LVU) combined with V-A ECMO reported to date.