Peripheral VA-ECMO with direct biventricular decompression for refractory cardiogenic shock.

Cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest are life-threatening emergencies that result in high mortality rates. Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) via peripheral cannulation is an option for patients who do not respond to conventional therapies. Left ventricular (LV) distention is a major limitation with peripheral VA-ECMO and is thought to contribute to poor recovery and the inability to wean off VA-ECMO. We report on a novel technique that combines peripheral VA-ECMO with off-pump insertion of a trans-apical LV venting cannula and a right ventricular decompression cannula.