Extracorporeal life support in resuscitation for acute myocardial infarction with cardiogenic shock.

In this investigation we report our experience of using extracorporeal life support (ECLS) to resuscitate a 69-year-old woman with critical left main coronary artery disease complicated by acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock. Intra-aortic balloon pump and ECLS were deployed within 45 minutes after the insult to restore the circulatory support while emergent revascularization surgery was performed within 3 hours of the insult. The patient was weaned from ECLS successfully after 52 hours of support and discharged with fully recovered left ventricular function. ECLS is effective in resuscitation of patients with cardiogenic shock. ECLS restored the systemic perfusion rapidly and avoided further injury to the organs, thus, improving the results of the subsequent coronary bypass surgery.