Percutaneous cardiopulmonary support as a bridge to emergency operation--two surviving cases

Two patients had percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) used as a bridge to emergency surgery. A 66-year-old man admitted with profound cardiogenic shock underwent direct stenting under PCPS with the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction of the left main trunk, with the intention of performing revascularization as soon as possible. Subsequently, double coronary artery bypass grafting was successfully accomplished. A 69-year-old woman, admitted with acute heart failure due to critical aortic stenosis, manifested cardiogenic shock while undergoing catheterization. PCPS was immediately instituted until the acute deterioration of her hemodynamic state could be reversed, and was continued uneventfully till aortic valve replacement was performed. These results suggest that the current PCPS system is an effective response to acute circulatory collapse and will contributed to the improved survival of patients.