Impella 5.5 and venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a bridge to ventricular assist device in cardiopulmonary failure

Abstract

Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in the setting of combined cardiopulmonary failure provides full support of both cardiac and respiratory systems. However, it is difficult to isolate and evaluate pulmonary recovery independent of cardiac function on venoarterial ECMO. In this case report, we demonstrate the advantage of supporting a patient in cardiopulmonary failure with venovenous ECMO and the Impella 5.5 as a method to isolate organ dysfunction, wean off ECMO as respiratory function improves, and bridge to a left ventricular assist device with Impella 5.5 monotherapy.

Keywords:

• Cardiopulmonary failure
• extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
• Impella
• venovenous

Disclosure statement/Funding

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The patient consented to publication of this case report.

FUNDING

Philanthropic gift of Satish and Yasmin Gupta to Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital, Plano.