CLINICAL SITUATIONS AND RESULTS OF CARDIOPULMONARY SUPPORT BY PERIPHERAL ACCESS FOR RESUSCITATION AND RECOVERY

Use of cardiopulmonary support (CPS) by peripheral access with a membr ane oxygenator has made considerable progress as a result of the devel opment of centrifugal pumps, percutaneous cannulation, and preheparini zed circuits. We have used CPS for resuscitation in 3 cases, for recov ery after cardiotomy in 6 cases (myocardial insufficiency, 4; pulmonar y arterial hypertension, 1; respiratory insufficiency, 1), and after h eart transplantation in 1 case. Of these 10 patients, 3 died during CP S, 5 were successfully weaned, and 2 underwent heart transplantation. Use of CPS is expanding for emergency cardiac assistance. Installation is simple and rapid. It allows recovery of organs pending more invasi ve and costly techniques.