• Zhi-bing Qiu, Li-qiong Xiao, Xin Chen, Kai-hu Shi, Ming Xu, Ying-shuo Jiang, Li-ming Wang, Ting Yang, and Yang-bo Zhang.
• Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, Jiangsu, China.
• Zhongguo Wei Zhong Bing Ji Jiu Yi Xue. 2010 Nov 1;22(11):696-8.

ObjectiveTo summarize the clinical effect and experience of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support for severe heart failure during peri-operative period of end-stage cardiopathy.MethodsFrom June 2007 to July 2010, 6 patients with severe heart failure during peri-operative period of end-stage cardiopathy received ECMO support. The changes in the hemodynamics and outcome of the patients during the use of ECMO were investigated.ResultsThe duration of ECMO assistance ranged from 23 to 168 hours with a mean of 78 hours. The hemodynamics after using ECMO was much improved than before ECMO [mean arterial pressure (mm Hg, 1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa): 78.13±8.01 vs. 47.75±5.21, central venous pressure ( mm Hg ): 11.03±3.21 vs. 19.36±4.51, cardiac output (L/min): 4.93±1.01 vs. 3.50±0.81, cardiac index (L×min(-1)×m(-2)): 2.71±0.51 vs. 1.91±0.40, pulmonary artery wedge pressure ( mm Hg ): 12.72±6.52 vs. 20.22±6.91, venous oxygen saturation: 0.66±0.13 vs. 0.54±0.07], and the amount of using inotropic drug was significantly reduced compared with that before ECMO [dopamine (μg×kg(-1)×min(-1)): 5.05±0.85 vs. 14.20±5.05, epinephrine (μg×kg(-1) ×min(-1)): 0.05±0.01 vs. 0.24±0.04, all P<0.05]. All patients were successfully weaned from ECMO. After weaning, 3 patients recovered and discharged, and the hospital discharge rate was 50%, while 3 patients died of multiple organ failure (MOF). Major complication was bleeding, disseminated intravascular coagulation, infection, embolism.ConclusionECMO is an important extracorporeal method to support life. ECMO is an effective measure of treatment for end-stage cardiopathy patients with peri-operative severe heart failure. It is important to properly select patients for ECMO.

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