Early Left Atrial Septostomy Versus Conventional Approach After Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

The use of venoarterial-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(VA-ECMO) was associated with lower in-hospital mortality in patients with cardiogenic shock. However, VA-ECMO has a deleterious effect for hemodynamics. It can increase left ventricular end-diastolic pressure(LVEDP), followed by left ventricular dilatation, abnormal opening of aortic valve and jeopardizes of myocardial recovery. Therefore, several methods have been used to reduce LVEDP. Among these, left atrial septostomy is effective, but less invasive than surgical left ventricular unloading. However, there is few data regarding this issue. Therefore, the investigators will evaluate the effect of routine, early left atrial septostomy in patients with VA-ECMO for the treatment of cardiogenic shock.