We report our experience with the Levitronix CentriMag (Levitronix LLC, Waltham, MA) in the setting of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) system support as treatment for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock. Between January 2007 and August 2011, 14 consecutive adult patients received CentriMag ECMO support after cardiac surgery procedures at our institution. There were nine males (64.3%) and the mean age was 53.1 ± 14.3 years (range: 25-70 years). Cardiac surgery included: n = 6, aortic and/or mitral valve replacement; n = 5, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG); and n = 3, Bentall procedures. The CentriMag ECMO support was installed centrally in eight patients and peripherally in six. Median duration of support was 5 days (range: 1-55 days). Seven patients were weaned from ECMO (50%), whereas six patients died while on support mainly because of multiple organ failure (42.9%). One patient died on ECMO support after transfer to the referral hub center while waiting for heart transplantation (Htx). Six (42.8%) patients were successfully discharged home. Levitronix CentriMag in ECMO configuration proved to be effective in managing postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock and the results are encouraging. The system was easy to install and manage.

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Our experience shows that mini-access isolated aortic valve surgery is a reproducible, safe and effective procedure with similar outcomes and no longer operative times compared to conventional sternotomy.