Usefulness of postoperative percutaneous cardiopulmonary support using a centrifugal pump: Retrospective analysis of complications

Between January 1992 and December 1997, we employed percutaneous cardiopulm onary support (PCPS) using a centrifugal pump in 25 patients. In 21 of them , PCPS was used postcardiotomy. These patients could not be weaned from car diopulmonary bypass due to profound ventricular failure. As for the other 4 patients, PCPS was used preoperatively for profound cardiogenic shock, a t hrombosed valve, a stuck valve, and pulmonary embolization. Nine patients ( 43%) were weaned from PCPS (Group 1), and 3 (14%) were discharged from the hospital. The other 12 patients (57%) had perioperative extensive myocardia l. infarction and could not be weaned (Group 2). The causes of death were b leeding and multiple organ failure (MOF) associated with ventricular failur e. The reasons for MOF were perioperative massive transfusion and hepatic c ongestion caused by sustained ventricular failure. To increase the survival rate, complete hemostasis and prevention of increased central venous press ure by early use of PCPS are necessary.