Differential Prognostic Impact of IABP-SHOCK II Scores According to Treatment Strategy in Cardiogenic Shock Complicating Acute Coronary Syndrome: From the RESCUE Registry.

Background: Early risk stratification is necessary for optimal determination of the treatment strategy in cardiogenic shock (CS) complicating acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Therefore, we evaluated the prognostic impact of an intra-aortic balloon pump on the cardiogenic shock (IABP-SHOCK) II score according to the treatment strategies in ACS complicated by CS using the RESCUE (REtrospective and prospective observational Study to investigate Clinical oUtcomes and Efficacy of left ventricular assist device for Korean patients with cardiogenic shock) registry. Methods: The RESCUE registry contains multicenter observational retrospective and prospective cohorts that include 1247 patients with CS from 12 centers in Korea. A total of 865 patients with ACS complicated by CS were selected and stratified into low-, intermediate- and high-risk categories according to their IABP-SHOCK II scores and then according to treatment: non-mechanical support, IABP, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenators (ECMOs). The primary outcome was all-cause mortality during follow-up. Results: The observed mortality rates for the low-, intermediate-, and high-IABP-SHOCK II score risk categories were 28.8%, 52.4%, and 69.8%, respectively (p < 0.01). Patients in the non-mechanical support and IABP groups showed an increasingly elevated risk of all-cause mortality as their risk scores increased from low to high. In the ECMO group, the risk of all-cause mortality did not differ between the intermediate- and high-risk categories (HR = 1.21, 95% CI: 0.81-1.81, p = 0.33). The IABP-SHOCK II scores for the non-mechanical support and IABP groups showed a better predictive performance (area under curve [AUC] = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.65-0.76) for mortality compared with the EMCO group (AUC = 0.61, 95% CI 0.54-0.67; p-value for comparison = 0.02). Conclusions: Risk stratification using the IABP-SHOCK II score is useful for predicting mortality in ACS complicated by CS when patients are treated with non-mechanical support or IABP. However, its prognostic value may be unsatisfactory in severe cases where patients require ECMOs.

Escalating and De-escalating Temporary Mechanical Circulatory Support in Cardiogenic Shock: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.

The use of temporary mechanical circulatory support in cardiogenic shock has increased dramatically despite a lack of randomized controlled trials or evidence guiding clinical decision-making. Recommendations from professional societies on temporary mechanical circulatory support escalation and de-escalation are limited. This scientific statement provides pragmatic suggestions on temporary mechanical circulatory support device selection, escalation, and weaning strategies in patients with common cardiogenic shock causes such as acute decompensated heart failure and acute myocardial infarction. The goal of this scientific statement is to serve as a resource for clinicians making temporary mechanical circulatory support management decisions and to propose standardized approaches for their use until more robust randomized clinical data are available.

The Predictive Value of the 4Ts and HEP Score at Recommended Cutoffs in Patients With Mechanical Circulatory Support Devices.

OBJECTIVES: Despite the increasing utilization of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices, the 4Ts and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) Expert Probability (HEP) scores have not been validated in patients with suspected HIT requiring MCS. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. SETTING: At a tertiary university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Adults with suspected HIT requiring any MCS. INTERVENTIONS: A diagnostic investigation of HIT. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of the 299 patients included, there were 374 diagnostic investigations of HIT, of which 32 (8.6%) were HIT-probable (heparin PF4 immunoassay optical density ≥1 or positive serotonin release assay). The 4Ts score ≥4 demonstrated a pretest sensitivity of 0.56 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.39-0.72) and specificity of 0.8 (95% CI: 0.75-0.83). The HEP score ≥3 demonstrated a pretest sensitivity of 0.31 (95% CI: 0.18-0.49) and specificity of 0.83 (95% CI: 0.79-0.87). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the 4Ts and HEP scores were 0.68 (95% CI: 0.63-0.73) and 0.63 (95% CI: 0.59-0.68), respectively, and were not statistically different (p = 0.21). In patients with an intra-aortic balloon pump, neither the 4Ts nor HEP score had discriminatory ability to differentiate probable HIT. The HEP score had no discriminatory ability in patients with concomitant MCS devices. CONCLUSIONS: The 4Ts and HEP scores have a modest predictive performance for probable HIT in patients requiring MCS devices. A low 4Ts or HEP score does not reliably rule out HIT in patients requiring MCS, and clinical suspicion for HIT should be investigated, utilizing laboratory tests in this population.

The Evolving Landscape of Impella Use in the United States Among Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Mechanical Circulatory Support.

BACKGROUND: Impella was approved for mechanical circulatory support (MCS) in 2008, but large-scale, real-world data on its use are lacking. Our objective was to describe trends and variations in Impella use, clinical outcomes, and costs across US hospitals in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) treated with MCS (Impella or intra-aortic balloon pump). METHODS: From the Premier Healthcare Database, we analyzed 48 306 patients undergoing PCI with MCS at 432 hospitals between January 2004 and December 2016. Association analyses were performed at 3 levels: time period, hospital, and patient. Hierarchical models with propensity adjustment were used for association analyses. We examined trends and variations in the proportion of Impella use, and associated clinical outcomes (in-hospital mortality, bleeding requiring transfusion, acute kidney injury, stroke, length of stay, and hospital costs). RESULTS: Among patients undergoing PCI treated with MCS, 4782 (9.9%) received Impella; its use increased over time, reaching 31.9% of MCS in 2016. There was wide variation in Impella use across hospitals (>5-fold variation). Specifically, among patients receiving Impella, there was a wide variation in outcomes of bleeding (>2.5-fold variation), and death, acute kidney injury, and stroke (all ≈1.5-fold variation). Adverse outcomes and costs were higher in the Impella era (years 2008-2016) versus the pre-Impella era (years 2004-2007). Hospitals with higher Impella use had higher rates of adverse outcomes and costs. After adjustment for the propensity score, and accounting for clustering of patients by hospitals, Impella use was associated with death: odds ratio, 1.24 (95% CI, 1.13-1.36); bleeding: odds ratio, 1.10 (95% CI, 1.00-1.21); and stroke: odds ratio, 1.34 (95% CI, 1.18-1.53), although a similar, nonsignificant result was observed for acute kidney injury: odds ratio, 1.08 (95% CI, 1.00-1.17). CONCLUSIONS: Impella use is rapidly increasing among patients undergoing PCI treated with MCS, with marked variability in its use and associated outcomes. Although unmeasured confounding cannot be ruled out, when analyzed by time periods, or at the hospital level or the patient level, Impella use was associated with higher rates of adverse events and costs. More data are needed to define the appropriate role of MCS in patients undergoing PCI.

Favorable Effects of Impella on Takotsubo Syndrome Complicated with Cardiogenic Shock.

Reportedly, approximately 9.9%-12.4% of patients with Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) are complicated with cardiogenic shock (CS) and its prognosis remains poor even with the support of conventional mechanical circulatory assist devices including intra-aortic balloon pumping and venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Impella, a novel percutaneous left ventricular assist device, provides strong circulatory support together with the unloading of the left ventricle, and it is theoretically a promising mechanical circulatory assist device for TTS. In this case study, we report four consecutive patients with TTS complicated with CS who were successfully resuscitated using the Impella support.

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.

A functional evaluation of cerebral perfusion for coronary artery bypass grafting patients.

We evaluate the utility of providing a pulsatile blood flow by applying off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) with conventional CABG to prevent perioperative stroke in patients with cerebral hypoperfusion on single-photon emission-computed tomography (SPECT). A total of 286 patients underwent isolated CABG with a cerebral magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) evaluation between 2006 and 2015. Seventy-five had significant stenosis and/or occlusion of craniocervical vessels; the other 211 had no significant stenosis. Cerebral SPECT was performed for 49 (SPECT group) of the 75 patients. The SPECT group was further divided into a normal perfusion (NP) (n = 37); and a hypoperfusion (HP) (n = 12). In the present study we compared the NP group and the 211 patients with no significant stenosis (as a control group) to the HP group. No strokes occurred in the HP group, and 1 stroke occurred at the time of operation in the control group. Postoperative stroke within 30 days occurred in 3 patients in the control group; the difference was not statistically significant. The long-term stroke-free rates of the HP and Control group did not differ to a statistically significant extent. The functional evaluation of cerebral perfusion by SPECT is important when patients have significant stenotic lesions on cerebral MRA. Maintaining an adequate pulsatile flow by off-pump CABG or IABP with conventional CABG will help prevent perioperative stroke, even if cerebral hypoperfusion is detected by SPECT.

Concurrent Implantation of Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Improved Survival of Patients With Postcardiotomy Cardiogenic Shock.

The aim of this study is to report the combined application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) with intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) in postcardiotomy cardiac shock (PCS). A total of 60 consecutive patients who received both ECMO and IABP (concomitantly 24 hours) for PCS from February 2006 to March 2017 at Fuwai Hospital were included in our study. Clinical characteristics of the patients were collected retrospectively and compared between survivors and non-survivors. Logistic regression analysis was used as predictors for survival to discharge. The study cohort had a mean age of 51.4±12.7 years with 75% males. ECMO was implanted intra-operatively in 38 (63%) patients and post-operatively in 22 (37%) patients. ECMO was implanted concurrently with IABP in 38 (63%) patients. Heart transplantation (38%) and coronary artery bypass graft (33%) were the main surgical procedures. ECMO was weaned successfully in 48% patients, and the rate of survival to discharge was 43%. Survivors showed less bedside ECMO implantation (12% vs. 41%, P=0.012) and more concurrent implantation of ECMO with IABP (81% vs. 50%, P=0.014). Concurrent implantation of IABP with ECMO (OR=0.177, P=0.015, 95% CI: 0.044-0.718) was an independent predictor of survival to discharge. As for complications, the rate of renal failure (59% vs. 15%, P=0.001) and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (29% vs. 0, P=0.003) was higher in patients who failed to survive to discharge. Patients who had heart transplantation had a better long-term survival than others (P=0.0358). In summary, concurrent implantation of ECMO with IABP provides better short-term outcome for PCS and combined application of ECMO with IABP for PCS after heart transplantation had a favorable long-term outcome.

Intra-aortic balloon pumping and thrombocytopenia in patients with acute coronary syndrome : Incidence, risk factors, and prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Thrombocytopenia is a frequently encountered phenomenon during intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP), which may limit its prolonged utilization. The aim of the study was to explore the risk factors and clinical implications of IABP-associated thrombocytopenia in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 222 patients with ACS undergoing invasive treatment strategy supported by IABP. The incidence and risk factors of IABP-associated thrombocytopenia, and the association between thrombocytopenia and relevant clinical endpoints (in-hospital death, bleeding according to the TIMI scale, and thromboembolic events), were analyzed. RESULTS: IABP-associated thrombocytopenia was observed in 54.5% (121/222) of the patients. The incidence of thrombocytopenia was higher and the magnitude of reduction in platelet count was greater in the Arrow balloon group (n = 89) compared with the Datascope balloon group (n = 133; 68.5% vs. 45.1%, p = 0.001; 48.7% vs. 33.2%, p < 0.001; respectively). Independent predictors of thrombocytopenia included older age and Arrow balloon utilization (odds ratio [OR]: 1.054; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.028-1.080; p<0.001; OR: 2.468; 95%CI: 1.375-4.431; p = 0.002; respectively). The incidence of in-hospital death was higher in patients who developed thrombocytopenia than those who did not (9.1% vs. 2.0%, p = 0.041), and thrombocytopenia was correlated with in-hospital death (OR: 5.932; 95%CI: 1.221-28.822; p = 0.027). However, the rates of TIMI bleeding and thromboembolic events were similar between the two groups (5.8% vs. 5.0%, p = 1.000; 3.2% vs. 6.0%, p = 0.518; respectively), and thrombocytopenia was not associated with TIMI bleeding or thromboembolic events (OR: 0.940; 95%CI: 0.267-3.307; p = 0.923; OR: 0.541, 95%CI: 0.148-1.974, p = 0.352; respectively). CONCLUSION: IABP-associated thrombocytopenia occurred in 54.5% of patients with ACS undergoing an invasive strategy and it was correlated with increased in-hospital mortality. Older age and use of the Arrow balloon may predict IABP-associated thrombocytopenia.

[Mechanical circulatory support in terminal heart failure]. / Die mechanische Kreislaufunterstützung in der Herzinsuffizienz.

BACKGROUND: After exhaustion of all conservative measures in the treatment of acute and chronic heart insufficiency, there is the possibility to temporarily or permanently support or replace the pump performance of the heart by mechanical circulatory support (MCS) systems. OBJECTIVE: Presentation of the most important cardiac support systems for intensive care medicine, their indications and important risk factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Critical review of device manufacturer's specifications, current research and expert opinions. RESULTS: The spectrum of available MCS procedures include mechanical chest compression devices, catheter-based micropumps and complete artificial hearts. Device selection depends on the severity of heart failure (monoventricular or biventricular pump failure), the expected duration of treatment and the degree of lung function impairment. The decision between minimally invasive and open surgical procedures depends on the options established at the specific healthcare institution and whether the heart function is to be temporarily or permanently replaced. Compliance with the anticoagulation regimens defined by the manufacturer is especially important as they differ vastly between devices and are critical to avoid bleeding or thromboembolic complications. CONCLUSION: Due to the increasing number of patients on long-term mechanical circulatory support, the chances are that physicians in the initial emergency admission are unfamiliar with these devices but need to operate them in emergency cases. Therefore, knowledge of these procedures and their complications becomes increasingly important.

Clinical use of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

With advances in mechanical circulation, venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation has become an established technique to provide cardiopulmonary support for patients with cardiovascular collapse. This article reviews the physiological principles of such extracorporeal technique and its interaction with the native heart. Practical aspects including equipment, patient selection, and common complications with their prevention and specific management are summarised. The strategy for weaning from venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is also discussed.

Thoracic Aortic Injuries Following Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump Placement: A Retrospective Case Series.

Thoracic aortic injuries from intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) are rare, and no publications exist in the context of patients awaiting heart transplantation. We present a single-institution case series involving five patients out of 107 who sustained thoracic aortic injuries following IABP placement awaiting heart transplantation. The goal of this study is to describe the characteristics of patients, presenting symptoms, treatment and the impact of these injuries on their suitability for transplantation. DESIGN: Retrospective, single-institution study through chart review of five patients with known thoracic aortic injuries following IABP placement awaiting heart transplant. SETTING: Tertiary care academic teaching hospital with all patients requiring cardiac ICU admission. PATIENTS: All five patients were diagnosed with advanced heart failure awaiting heart transplantation. INTERVENTIONS: Each patient had an IABP placed while awaiting transplant. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Five patients (4.6%) out of a total of 107 supported with IABP awaiting heart transplantation were identified with thoracic aortic injury. Three underwent transplantation and subsequently received thoracic endovascular aortic repair, and they are doing well with a mean follow-up of 6 months. One patient died acutely and the other did not require intervention. CONCLUSIONS: IABP-related aortic injuries may be more common in patients awaiting transplantation and that endovascular therapy is a suitable treatment modality with no immediate impact on transplantation outcomes. Pooled data from multiple centers may help identify patients risk profile to potentially design an algorithm that can more quickly identify these injuries.

A case of fulminant myocarditis with full recovery after a 38-h sustained asystole.

Key Clinical Message: Even if cardiac rhythm deteriorated to asystole in the clinical course of fulminant myocarditis, cardiac function may recover, and the patient may be discharged without brain damage, if circulation could be maintained by appropriate mechanical cardiac supports. Abstract: A 69-year-old man was diagnosed with fulminant myocarditis with circulatory collapse. His cardiac rhythm deteriorated to asystole on the second day; however, circulatory status was maintained through extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and intra-aortic balloon pumping. After 38 h-lasting asystole, his heart resumed beating. He was discharged without neurological deficits on Day 25.

Changing Trends in Mechanical Circulatory Support Use and Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Interventions for Acute Coronary Syndrome Complicated With Cardiogenic Shock: Insights From a Nationwide Registry in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Temporal trends in the management of acute coronary syndrome complicated with cardiogenic shock after the revision of guideline recommendations for intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) use and the approval of the Impella require further investigation, because their impact remains uncertain. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using the Japanese Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (J-PCI) registry database from 2019 to 2021, we identified 12 171 patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndrome complicated with cardiogenic shock under mechanical circulatory support. The patients were stratified into 3 groups: (1) IABP alone, (2) Impella, and (3) venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO); the VA-ECMO group was further stratified into (3a) VA-ECMO alone, (3b) VA-ECMO in combination with IABP, and (3c) VA-ECMO in combination with Impella. The quarterly prevalence and outcomes were reported. The use of IABP alone decreased significantly from 63.5% in the first quarter of 2019 to 58.3% in the fourth quarter of 2021 (P for trend=0.01). Among 4245 patients requiring VA-ECMO, the use of VA-ECMO in combination with IABP decreased significantly from 78.7% to 67.3%, whereas the use of VA-ECMO in combination with Impella increased significantly from 4.2% to 17.0% (P for trend <0.001 for both). After adjusting for the confounders, the risk difference in the fourth quarter of 2021 relative to the first quarter of 2019 for in-hospital mortality was not significant (adjusted odds ratio, 0.84 [95% CI, 0.69-1.01]). CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed substantial changes in the use of different mechanical circulatory support modalities in acute coronary syndrome complicated with cardiogenic shock, but they did not significantly improve the outcomes.

Statistical Analysis of IABP-Surgery Data with the Co-use of Anticoagulants, Pulse of Dorsalis Pedis Artery, D-Dimer Data, and Coagulation Function.

Data analysis was performed on IABP (intra-aortic balloon pump) patients for the use of anticoagulants, pulse of dorsalis pedis artery, D-dimer data, and coagulation function. According to the differential diagnosis of 52 patients admitted to hospital, data on the use of anticoagulants, dorsalis pedis artery pulsation, D-dimer data, and coagulation function were collected. These data were analyzed by using a nonparametric test, linear regression analysis, adjustment effect analysis, and chi-square test. Some findings of the analysis included: (1) There were differences in the dorsalis pedis artery pulsation of samples from different sexes, all of which were significant. (2) Coagulation function has a significant positive relationship with D-dimer. (3) When the D-dimer affects the prognosis, the regulatory variable (dorsalis pedis artery pulse) is at different levels, and the influence amplitude has significant differences. (4) Samples taken with different anticoagulants all showed significant differences in the dorsalis pedis artery pulsation.

Comparison of the effect of 1:1 and 1:2 frequencies of intra-aortic balloon pump on hemodynamics of the patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

BACKGROUND: Some patients require intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. IABP can be adjusted to different frequencies such as 1:1, 1:2, or 1:3. In this study, we tried to compare the effect of 1:1 and 1:2 frequencies of IABP on hemodynamic status of the patients after CABG surgery. METHODS: In this experimental study, all patients using IABP after CABG surgery were entered the study as pretest and posttest groups. The study could not be blinded because of the clearness of posttest group for the same echocardiographist. The pretest group included patients using a 1:1 frequency of IABP device. The posttest group included patients in the pretest group who were exposed to a 1:2 frequency for 20 minutes. In both groups, on the moderate dose of inotropic support, hemodynamic parameters of patients including systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), cardiac output (CO), cardiac index (CI), stroke volume (SV), and velocity time integral (VTI) in the aorta during systole were measured. Both groups were compared using Wilcoxon signed rank test. SPSS software was used for analysis and P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: Twelve patients were entered into the study. Three patients were excluded because of open chest and instability of vital signs. Nine patients completed the study. 3 patients were men and 6 were women. The mean age was 58.32 ± 13.18 years. MAP in 1:1 frequency was significantly higher than 1:2 (P = 0.043); however, there was no significant difference between 1:1 and 1:2 in other hemodynamic parameters, namely CO, CI, SV, HR, and VTI. CONCLUSION: In patients on moderate dose of inotropes, IABP frequencies of 1:1 and 1:2 have the same effect on hemodynamic parameters such as CI, SBP, DBP, HR, and left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) VTI; meanwhile, MAP remains higher in 1:1 frequency.

Prognostic significance of intra-aortic balloon pumping support in patients with acute myocardial infarction and veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic significance of combining intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients is still unclear. We investigated whether combining IABP with veno-arterial (VA)-ECMO is associated with a lower risk of short-term mortality. METHODS: Among 12,093 AMI cases enrolled in the Osaka Acute Coronary Insufficiency Study (OACIS), we identified 519 who were administered VA-ECMO during hospitalization. Among these, 459 received IABP support (IABP group) and 60 cases did not (no-IABP group). The primary endpoint was 30-day all-cause death; the secondary endpoint was major bleeding. Logistic regression analysis using original data was conducted. We also established weighted logistic regression models with inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis revealed that IABP use was significantly associated with a reduced risk of 30-day death in the original data [odds ratio (OR) 0.504, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.282-0.901, p = 0.021]. After IPTW-adjustment for clinically relevant covariates with the use of IABP, patients receiving VA-ECMO with IABP had a lower risk of 30-day death (OR 0.816, 95% CI 0.746-0.892, p < 0.001) compared to those without IABP. The incidence of major bleeding was comparable between the groups (IABP 29.0% vs. non-IABP 21.7%, p=0.302). However, the risk of major bleeding was higher in the IABP group after IPTW-adjustment (OR 1.092, 95% CI 1.008-1.184, p=0.032). CONCLUSIONS: IABP support for AMI patients with VA-ECMO was significantly associated with reduced risk of short-term mortality, suggesting that the addition of IABP support might contribute to improved survival in AMI patients requiring VA-ECMO.

Two cases of intestinal perforation due to mesenteric artery embolism during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and intra-aortic balloon pumping.

The patient in case 1 was a 50-year-old man who presented to the emergency department of the local hospital with chest pain and syncope for 3 hours due to acute myocardial infarction. He underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) followed by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and intestinal perforation was detected on day 9. The patient in case 2 was a 58-year-old man who was admitted to the hospital with abdominal pain lasting for 3 days. He also required CPR and ECMO for cardiogenic shock, and intestinal perforation was identified on day 7 of ECMO. We believe that this case report will be important to alert clinicians to the possibility of this complication and to encourage early detection and intervention to improve prognosis. Conventionally, the gastrointestinal tract has received secondary attention in patients receiving ECMO support because the vital organs tend to be considered first. However, this case report illustrates the importance of monitoring gastrointestinal function in patients undergoing ECMO.

Outcomes of Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Plus Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping for Treatment of Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Cardiogenic Shock.

Background Clinical outcomes of acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock remain poor with high in-hospital mortality. Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) has been widely used for patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock refractory to conservative therapy, which is likely fatal without mechanical circulatory support. However, whether additional intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) use during VA-ECMO support improves clinical outcomes remains controversial. This study sought to investigate prognostic impact of the combined VA-ECMO plus IABP treatment compared with VA-ECMO alone. Methods and Results From the nationwide Japanese administrative case-mix Diagnostic Procedure Combination (DPC), the JROAD (Japanese Registry of All Cardiac and Vascular Diseases)-DPC, we identified 3815 patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention and managed with VA-ECMO. Of these, 2964 patients (77.7%) were managed with IABP (VA-ECMO plus IABP), whereas 851 (22.3%) were managed without IABP (VA-ECMO alone). We compared in-hospital, 7-day, and 30-day mortality between the VA-ECMO plus IABP versus the VA-ECMO alone support. Patients managed with VA-ECMO plus IABP demonstrated significantly lower in-hospital, 7-day, and 30-day mortality than those managed with VA-ECMO alone (adjusted odds ratios [95% CI] of 0.47 [95% CI, 0.38-0.59], 0.41 [95% CI, 0.33-0.51], and 0.30 [95% CI, 0.25-0.37], respectively). The findings were consistent in the propensity matching and inverse probability of treatment-weighting models. Conclusions This large-scale, nationwide study demonstrated that the combination of VA-ECMO plus IABP support was associated with significantly lower mortality compared with VA-ECMO support alone in patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention.