Valor del ECMO en el tratamiento del shock cardiogénico refractario posoperatorio

摘要

This study reports the results of the use of extracorporeal circulation with a membrane oxygenator (ECMO) for the treatment of postoperative cardiogenic shock in 219 patients operated at the Leipzig Herzzentrum between 1997 and 2002. During hospitalization, 61% of patients could be weaned successfully and 24% were discharged from the hospital. Variables predictive of hospital survival were: age, absence of postoperative myocardial infarction, absence of diabetes, use of an intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) and the type of surgery performed. Although ECMO is associated to significant morbidity and mortality, it is offered to patients who would otherwise die.