Abstract
Extracorporeal life support (ECLS), in particular veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane
oxygenation, has emerged as a potentially life-saving treatment modality in patients
presenting with pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure refractory to conventional
treatment. Used mainly as a bridge to lung transplantation, ECLS is also being used
occasionally as a bridge to recovery in patients with treatable causes of right heart
failure. This review article describes indications, contraindications, techniques,
and outcomes of the use of ECLS in patients with PH, focusing on practical aspects
in the management of such patients.
Keywords
pulmonary hypertension - right heart failure - extracorporeal life support - extracorporeal
membrane oxygenation - lung transplantation