Mechanical support for high-risk coronary artery bypass grafting

Mechanical circulatory support devices are being used to an increasing extent. The use of these devices as an adjunct to cardiac surgery to support ventricular function has contributed to improved outcomes for the highest risk patients. In the context of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, there are several potential indications for mechanical circulatory support: preoperatively in the setting of acute cardiogenic shock, or in patients with intractable angina with or without haemodynamic compromise; at induction of anaesthesia prophylactically in patients with critical coronary anatomy and/or severely impaired left ventricular function; intraoperatively in the setting of failure to wean from cardiopulmonary bypass; or postoperatively in patients who develop an intractable low cardiac output state. The use of the intra-aortic balloon pump, veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, TandemHeart, Impella and central ventricular assist devices will be considered in the setting of high-risk patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.