Long-term extracorporeal membrane oxygenator support in resuscitation for intractable hibernating myocardium after coronary artery bypass grafting

Abstract

We report our experience of long-term extracorporeal membrane oxygenator (ECMO) support to resuscitate a 62-year-old man who had critical three-vessel disease of coronary artery complicating intractable hibernating myocardium (HM) and sudden cardiogenic shock. Intra-aortic balloon pump and ECMO were deployed to restore the circulatory support while emergent revascularization surgery was performed. The patient was weaned from ECMO successfully after 15 days of support and discharged with recovered left ventricular function. ECMO is effective in resuscitation of patients with cardiogenic shock and HM. To our knowledge the present case necessitated the longest term of ECMO support to get rid of HM. © 2011 The Editorial Committee of Annals of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. All rights reserved.