Minimally invasive left-heart decompression during venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: an alternative to a percutaneous approach.

Decompression of the left-heart following initiation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, is at times required. In the setting of a closed chest this can present a challenge. We present a minimally invasive approach to left-heart decompression in an adult-sized patient, where a percutaneous option was not feasible. 2010 Published by European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.