Extracorporeal Life Support in Pulmonary Hypertension: Practical Aspects

Semin Respir Crit Care Med DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1772752Extracorporeal life support (ECLS), in particular veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, has emerged as a potentially life-saving treatment modality in patients presenting with pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure refractory to conventional treatment. Used mainly as a bridge to lung transplantation, ECLS is also being used occasionally as a bridge to recovery in patients with treatable causes of right heart failure. This review article describes indications, contraindications, techniques, and outcomes of the use of ECLS in patients with PH, focusing on practical aspects in the management of such patients. [...] Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc. 333 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USAArticle in Thieme eJournals: Table of contents  |  Abstract  |  Full text
Source: Seminars in Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Tags: Review Article Source Type: research