EXTRACORPOREAL MEMBRANE-OXYGENATION IN TREATMENT OF CARDIOGENIC-SHOCKCAUSED BY ACUTE MYOCARDITIS

We report a 31-year-old woman with acute myocarditis who was transferr ed to our hospital because of rapidly progressive cardiogenic shock un responsive to infusion of high doses of inotropic agents and intraaort ic balloon pump support. Upon arrival at our hospital, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was immediately established through a righ t femoral venoarterial route by percutaneous cannulation; the blood fl ow of ECMO was maintained at around 2,100 mL/min. Shock-induced rhabdo myolysis complicated with acute renal failure occurred. During treatme nt with ECMO and hemodialysis, the patient gradually recovered cardiac and renal function. The patient was maintained on ECMO for 90 hours t hen successfully weaned from the machine without major complications. Our experience suggests that ECMO can be used for temporary mechanical circulatory support in patients with cardiogenic shock due to acute m yocarditis.