Validation of SAVE score and the value of serum lactate in patients admitted for cardiogenic shock treated with VA-ECMO

Abstract Introduction Veno-Arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is a treatment option to provide circulatory and pulmonary support to patients with cardiogenic shock. However, a risk profile assessment is essential for an adequate selection of patients for this type of therapy. The aim of this study was to 1) validate the SAVE score in a Portuguese cohort of patients treated with VA-ECMO due to cardiogenic shock; 2) evaluate the prognostic impact of the maximum serum lactate level pre-VA-ECMO implantation; 3) assess the ability of lactate to improve risk stratification by the SAVE score. Methods We conducted a single-center retrospective analysis of patients treated with VA-ECMO due to cardiogenic shock from 2017 until 2022. Variable assessments were considered before VA-ECMO implantation. The primary outcome analyzed was in-hospital mortality. Results A total of 61 patients were included (52±12 years, 74% male, 40% with acute myocardial infarction, 54% with an ejection fraction