Resurgence of extracorporeal support for the primary management of cardiogenic shock

When NOT to use short-term mechanical circulatory support

“…The use of short-term mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is increasingly being offered to patients with acute cardiogenic shock. 1 The results of therapy have been improving consistently, with survival to hospital discharge exceeding 60% for selected cohorts. 2 , 3 One-year survival after hospital discharge is also encouraging, suggesting that those patients who survive short-term MCS have reasonable mid-term outcomes.…”

To breathe or to breathe better: Is that the question?

“…In addition, there has been a definite trend toward implantation in lower INTERMACS classes (III and IV vs I and II), with an increasing trend of extracorporeal life support or shortterm paracorporeal devices for those acutely ill patients in INTERMACS class I. 1,2 Several clinical risk factors have been described to predict mortality after implantation of a continuous-flow left ventricular assist device. These include severe right ventricular dysfunction, renal failure, liver cirrhosis, and malnutrition.…”