Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a bridge in patients with advanced heart failure: Initial experience in China

[1–3] Recent data from the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO)[4] indicated that ECMO used as a bridge has increased by 20.5% over a decade. Before ECMO deployment, 9 of 17 patients required cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and 10 of 17 patients underwent invasive mechanical ventilation. [...]a prolonged duration of ECMO may increase the risk of complications, thereby leading to unfavorable outcomes. [...]treatment is an important determinant of survival. [...]VA-ECMO can be used as a bridge to HTx or LVAD for patients with AdHF experiencing a hemodynamically unstable stage, which may improve the possibility of further treatment and better prognosis.