Left atrium veno-arterial extra corporeal membrane oxygenation as temporary mechanical support for cardiogenic shock:A case report

BACKGROUND Veno-arterial extra corporeal membrane oxygenation(VA-ECMO)support is commonly complicated with left ventricle(LV)distension in patients with cardiogenic shock.We resolved this problem by transeptally converting VAECMO to left atrium veno-arterial(LAVA)-ECMO that functioned as a temporary paracorporeal left ventricular assist device to resolve LV distension.In our case LAVA-ECMO was also functioning as a bridge-to-transplant device,a technique that has been scarcely reported in the literature.CASE SUMMARY A 65 year-old man suffered from acute myocardial injury that required percutaneous stents.Less than two weeks later,noncompliance to antiplatelet therapy led to stent thrombosis,cardiogenic shock,and cardiac arrest.Femorofemoral VA-ECMO support was started,and the patient underwent a second coronary angiography with re-stenting and intra-aortic balloon pump placement.The VA-ECMO support was complicated by left ventricular distension which we resolved via LAVA-ECMO.Unfortunately,episodes of bleeding and sepsis complicated the clinical picture and the patient passed away 27 d after initiating VA-ECMO.CONCLUSION This clinical case demonstrates that LAVA-ECMO is a viable strategy to unload the LV without another invasive percutaneous or surgical procedure.We also demonstrate that LAVA-ECMO can also be weaned to a left ventricular assist device system.A benefit of this technique is that the procedure is potentially reversible,should the patient require VA-ECMO support again.A transeptal LV venting approach like LAVA-ECMO may be indicated over ImpellaTM in cases where less LV unloading is required and where a restrictive myocardium could cause LV suctioning.Left ventricular over-distention is a well-known complication of peripheral VA-ECMO in cardiogenic shock and LAVA ECMO through transeptal cannulation offers a novel and safe approach for treating LV overloading,without the need of an additional percutaneous access.

Replacement of degenerated prosthetic valve post apico-aortic conduit with extra corporeal membrane oxygenation

Use of an apico-aortic conduit （AAC） serves as an alternative method to treat severe aortic stenosis inelder patients, especially in those with a heavily calcified ascending aorta or prior cardiac surgery. The results of long-term follow-up of AAC are very rare. We reported a case about a successful replacement of late degenerated prosthetic valve following AAC procedure, assisted with extra corporeal membrane oxygenation （ECMO）.