Peripheral femoral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as bridge to heart‐lung transplant omne iter incipit primus. Issue 8 (11th July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Orozco‐Hernandez, Erik J.; Melnikoff, Brett; Lusby, Megan; Tallaj, Jose; Hoopes, Charles W.
• Is Part Of: Journal of cardiac surgery. Volume 35:Issue 8(2020)
• Page Start: 2077
• Page End: 2080
• Publication Date: 2020-07-11
• Subjects: ECMO -- heart‐lung transplant -- transplant; Heart -- Surgery -- Periodicals; 617.412005
• DOI: 10.1111/jocs.14779
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0886-0440

Abstract

Abstract: Heart‐lung transplant (HLT) is a widely accepted modality for certain patients with advanced and refractory cardiopulmonary disease. Some of these patients are critically ill on the transplant waiting list, and venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA‐ECMO) can be used as a bridge to transplantation. Although the experience with ECMO as a bridge to lung transplant is promising, there is limited evidence to use ECMO as a bridge to HLT. Femoral cannulation remains a concern for ambulation given the risk of bleeding and cannula complications despite studies reporting its safety. We present a case of a 56‐year‐old male with interstitial lung disease and severe secondary pulmonary hypertension, who was successfully bridged to HLT with ambulatory femoral VA‐ECMO.