Patients with drug-induced cardiogenic shock [DIC] (e.g. overdose of CCB/BB, membrane stabilizing agents, etc.) are often managed with medical interventions such as vasopressors, bicarbonate infusion, high-dose insulin, lipid emulsion therapy. A fraction of these patients may be refractory to the standard medical therapy. VA-ECMO (venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) has been utilized in such situation; yet clinical experience of using VA-ECMO in DIC is limited.

A recent retrospective study of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization’s ECMO registry showed

• Increasing VA-ECMO utilization for drug-induced cardiogenic shock (n=104) over the past 15 years (2003 to 2018) but it represents a fraction (0.067%) of VA-ECMO use.
• VA-ECMO improved hemodynamic and metabolic status at 24 hrs-post cannulation.
• Persistent acidosis (HCO3 level) and acidemia (pH) at 24 hrs-post cannulation was associated with mortality.
• 52.9% of the cases survived to discharge. 

Conclusion

• VA-ECMO may be clinically beneficial (improvement of hemodynamic and metaboic status) in patients with refractory drug-induce cardiogenic shock

References