Insufficient left ventricular unloading after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation : A case-series observational study.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a method widely used to support circulation in patients with fulminant myocarditis (FM). However, a common complication associated with ECMO is left ventricular (LV) overload.

METHODS: This case series observed the effects of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) and beta-blockers for the treatment of LV overload after ECMO. The cases of eight patients with FM who underwent ECMO from September 2009 to July 2016 were reviewed.

RESULTS: Six of the eight patients survived. After ECMO treatment, insufficient LV unloading occurred in six patients. Among these six patients, three experienced electrical storm but spontaneous circulation returned after interventions with beta-blockers and IABP. The survivors demonstrated full recovery of cardiac function.

CONCLUSION: Beta-blockers may prevent the occurrence of electrical storm, and IABP is feasible for the treatment of LV overload after ECMO application.