Cardiac intensive care management of high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention using the venoarterial ECMO support

The emerging concept of high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (HR-PCI) has required the adoption of a multidisciplinary team approach. Venoarterial ECMO (VA-ECMO) has been introduced as a temporary mechanical circulatory support (MCS) for HR-PCI patients in order to provide an adequate systemic perfusion during the procedure. Both patient’s complexity and technological evolutions have catalyzed the development of critical care cardiology; however, ECMO therapy faces several challenges. Indeed, the management of patients on ECMO remains complex; moreover, the lack of specific recommendation for HR-PCI patients further complicates the management of these patients. In this narrative review, we give a reappraisal for the management of HR-PCI patients supported with VA-ECMO according to the available data published in current literature.