Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) involves the use of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), short-term percutaneous ventricular assist devices, long-term surgically implanted continuous-flow ventricular assist devices (cf-LVADs), and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for the treatment of acute and chronic heart failure and cardiogenic shock. IABP is increasingly recognized as an important adjunct in the postoperative treatment arsenal for those patients with severely reduced left ventricular systolic function. Short-term percutaneous options for the treatment of acute right and left heart failure include both the Impella and Tandem Heart, whereas the Centrimag is often used in the surgical setting for acute cardiogenic shock and heart failure. Long-term surgical MCS options include the total artificial heart and the cf-LVADs HeartWare and Heartmate II. ECMO is frequently used for the treatment of acute cardiogenic shock and may be placed peripherally via a percutaneous approach or with central cannulation. ECMO is also increasingly used in the setting of acute cardiac life support, known as extracorporeal life support.
Key words: cardiac critical care, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, long-term ventricular assist device, mechanical circulatory support, short-term ventricular assist device
Short-term mechanical circulatory support as bridge to heart transplantation: paracorporeal ventricular assist device as alternative to extracorporeal life support