The Role and Efficacy of Peripheral Veno-arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Treating Cardiogenic Shock and Cardiac Arrest

Abstract

Cardiogenic shock (CS) complicates acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with an incidence from 5% to 10%, and is a main cause of death in patients with acute cardiovascular disease including AMI. Short-term mortality associated with CS may approach nearly 30% to 45% in the contemporary era. Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) may represent the final option for severe CS that is refractory to medical therapy. Peripheral VA-ECMO can be initiated percutaneously and promptly via femoral artery and femoral vein access, and is widely used for CS and CA in emergency situations. In this review, we describe the role and efficacy of peripheral VA-ECMO in treating CS and CA.