ECMO in myocarditis and rare cardiomyopathies

Abstract

Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the myocardium. It is typical of young individuals without significant comorbidities, and it is characterized by unpredictable clinical presentation and evolution to life-threatening arrhythmias and overt cardiogenic shock. This explains why, although representing only a minority of overall indications to ECMO, it is frequently reported in literature as a fulminant disease that requires mechanical support to improve short- and long-term prognosis. Despite its grave presentation and clinical evolution, the overall prognosis is fairly good, in terms of both survival and recovery. ECMO is therefore a valuable asset in this group of diseases, to bridge young and otherwise healthy patients to complete recovery or to transplantation.