Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for acute myocardial infarction-associated cardiogenic shock: can we predict survival before decision of implantation?

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with subsequent ventricular dysfunction is the most frequent cause of cardiogenic shock (CS) accounting for about 80% of cases (1). CS remains the leading cause of death in AMI with mortality rates still approaching 40–50% (2,3). The treatment of AMI-induced CS principally consists of early revascularization and intensive care treatment with inotropes, vasopressors, sedation and mechanical ventilation. The most severe cases of CS can be treated with mechanical circulatory support, as a bridge to recovery of cardiac function, or sometimes as a bridge to heart transplantation.