Percutaneous atrial septostomy for left ventricular unloading in patients on peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal...

This study systematically reviewed the safety and efficacy of atrial septostomy as a left ventricular (LV) unloading intervention in paediatric and adult patients undergoing peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO).

The PubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar online databases were searched, and studies describing patients who received VA-ECMO for refractory cardiogenic shock and underwent atrial septostomy for LV unloading were included. Laboratory experiments, animal studies, and patients who received ECMO with a method other than atrial septostomy for LV unloading were excluded.

From the 12 studies analysed, data were collected on 197 patients, including 97 (49 %) males and 75 (38 %) females (data unavailable for 25 patients) with ages ranging from 3.65 days to 70 years. VA-ECMO duration was 1.71 to 40 days (P < 0.001). Weaning from VA-ECMO with LV discharge was achieved successfully in 126 (64 %) patients, with 60 (30.5 %) in recovery (P = 0.006) and 66 (33.5 %) converted to a ventricular assistant device or transplantation. Additionally, 54 (27.4 %) patients experienced unsuccessful weaning. During atrial septostomy for LV unloading, 14 (7.1 %) patients experienced complications, whereas 180 (91.4 %) did not (P = 0.250). After LV unloading in patients receiving VA-ECMO, 60 (30.5 %) experienced early mortality (P = 0.286).

VA-ECMO-assisted percutaneous atrial septostomy is a viable, safe, and successful alternative for LV unloading in both children and adults with refractory cardiogenic shock. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are required to comprehensively assess the morbidity and mortality associated with this approach.