Nowadays, only a few data are available about left heart unloading in V-A ECMO support. Despite the well-known controversy, IABP remains widely used in combination with V-A ECMO. Percutaneous approaches utilizing unloading devices is becoming an increasingly used option. However, further studies are required to establish the optimal LV unloading method.

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OBJECTIVES Pulmonary artery (PA) cannulation during peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been shown to be effective either for indirect left ventricular (LV) unloading or to allow right ventricular (RV) bypass with associated gas-exchange support in case of acute RV with respiratory failure. This case series reports the results of such peculiar ECMO configurations with PA cannulation in different clinical conditions. METHODS All consecutive patients receiving PA cannulation (direct or percutaneous) from January 2015 to September 2018 in 3 institutions were retrospectively reviewed. Isolated LV unloading or RV support, as well as dynamic support including initial drainage followed by perfusion through the PA cannula, was used as part of the ECMO configuration according to the type of patient and the patient’s haemodynamic/functional needs. RESULTS Fifteen patients (8 men, age range 45–73 years, EuroSCORE log range 14.45–91.60%) affected by acute LV, RV or biventricular failure of various aetiologies, were supported by this ECMO mode. Percutaneous PA cannulation was performed in 10 patients and direct PA cannulation, in 5 cases. Dynamic ECMO management (initially draining and then perfusing through the PA cannula) was carried out in 6 patients. Mean ECMO duration was 9.1 days (range 6–17 days). One patient exhibited pericardial fluid during the implant of a PA cannula (no lesion found when the chest was opened), and weaning from temporary circulatory support was achieved in 14 patients (1 who received a transplant). Three patients (20%) died in-hospital, and 12 patients were successfully discharged without major complications. CONCLUSIONS Effective indirect LV unloading in peripheral venoarterial ECMO as well as isolated RV support can be achieved by PA cannulation. Such an ECMO configuration may allow the counteraction of common venoarterial ECMO shortcomings or allow dynamic/adjustable management of ECMO according to specific ventricular dysfunction and haemodynamic needs. Percutaneous PA cannulation was shown to be safe and feasible without major complications. Additional investigation is needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of such an ECMO configuration and management in a larger patient population.

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Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is accompanied by progressive epicardial fibrosis, dissociation of electrical activity between the epicardial layer and the endocardial bundle network, and transmural conduction (breakthroughs). However, causal relationships between these phenomena have not been demonstrated yet. Our goal was to test the hypothesis that epicardial fibrosis suffices to increase endo-epicardial dissociation (EED) and breakthroughs (BT) during AF. Methods: We simulated the effect of fibrosis in the epicardial layer on EED and BT in a detailed, high-resolution, three-dimensional model of the human atria with realistic electrophysiology. The model results were compared with simultaneous endo-epicardial mapping in human atria. The model geometry, specifically built for this study, was based on MR images and histo-anatomical studies. Clinical data were obtained in four patients with longstanding persistent AF (persAF) and three patients without a history of AF. Results: The AF cycle length (AFCL), conduction velocity (CV), and EED were comparable in the mapping studies and the simulations. EED increased from 24.1 ± 3.4 to 56.58 ± 6.2% (p < 0.05), and number of BTs per cycle from 0.89 ± 0.55 to 6.74 ± 2.11% (p < 0.05), in different degrees of fibrosis in the epicardial layer. In both mapping data and simulations, EED correlated with prevalence of BTs. Fibrosis also increased the number of fibrillation waves per cycle in the model. Conclusion: A realistic 3D computer model of AF in which epicardial fibrosis was increased, in the absence of other pathological changes, showed increases in EED and epicardial BT comparable to those in longstanding persAF. Thus, epicardial fibrosis can explain both phenomena.

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IABP placement was an effective solution in order to reverse the protracted AV closure and impaired LV unloading observed during peripheral V-A ECMO support. However, the impact on the weaning rate and survival needs further investigations.

Background: Postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock (PCS) that is refractory to inotropic support remains a major concern in cardiac surgery and is almost universally fatal unless treated with mechanical support. While reported mortality rates on ECMO vary from center to center, aim of the current report is assess if the outcomes differ between centres according to volume and heart transplantation status. Methods: A systematic search was performed according to PRISMA statement using PubMed/Medline databases between 2010 and 2018. Relevant articles were scrutinized and included in the meta-analysis only if reporting inhospital/30-day mortality and heart transplantation status of the centre. Paediatric and congenital heart surgeryrelated studies along with those conducted in the setting of veno-venous ECMO for respiratory distress syndrome were excluded. Differences were assessed by means of subgroup meta-analysis and meta-regression. Results: Fifty-four studies enrolling N = 4421 ECMO patients were included. Of those, 6 series were performed in non-HTx centres (204 pts.;4.6%). Overall 30-day survival (95% Confidence Intervals) was 35.3% (32.5-38.2%) and did not statistically differ between non-HTx: 33.3% (26.8-40.4%) and HTx centres: 35.7% (32.7-38.8%); P interaction = 0.531. There was no impact of centre volume on survival as well: ß coef = 0.0006; P = 0.833. No statistical differences were seen between HTx and non-HTx with respect to ECMO duration, limb complications, reoperations for bleeding, kidney injury and sepsis. There were however significantly less neurological complications in the HTx as compared to non-HTx centres: 11.9% vs 19.5% respectively; P = 0.009; an inverse relationship was seen for neurologic complications in centres performing more ECMOs annually ß coef = − 0.0066; P = 0.031. Weaning rates and bridging to HTx and/or VADs were higher in HTx facilities. Conclusions: There was no apparent difference in survival after ECMO implantation for refractory PCS according to centre's ECMO volume and transplantation status. Potentially different risk profiles of patients in these centres must be taken account for before definite conclusions are drawn.