Evaluation of Speckle Tracking Parameters as Predictors of Successful VA SPECKLE ECMO

Purpose of this study is to assess whether measurements obtained through speckle tracking (LV longitudinal and circumferential strain, RV longitudinal strain) can give additional information in identifying patients who develop adverse outcomes 30 days post successfully weaning from VA ECMO (liberation not for palliation). It is a prospective observational non-blinded pilot study. In order to achieve this purpose, speckle tracking analysis will be performed on the recorded images of the transoesophageal echocardiogram performed during the last VA ECMO weaning study of patients defined ready for VA ECMO liberation. VA ECMO liberation will be based according to LVOT VTI increase and clinical judgment during patients' VA ECMO weaning study. It will be assessed whether the population experiencing the outcomes of interest (death within 30 days from VA ECMO liberation, hospital admission for a new episode of cardiogenic shock or heart failure within 30 days from VA ECMO liberation, need for new mechanical circulatory support within 30 days from VA ECMO liberation) and the population not experiencing these outcomes have different values of strain (LV longitudinal and circumferential and RV longitudinal strain) during the weaning study.