2020 EACTS/ELSO/STS/AATS expert consensus on post-cardiotomy extracorporeal life support in adult patients.

Post-cardiotomy extracorporeal life support (PC-ECLS) in adult patients has been used only rarely but recent data have shown a remarkable increase in its use, almost certainly due to improved technology, ease of management, growing familiarity with its capability and decreased costs. Trends in worldwide in-hospital survival, however, rather than improving, have shown a decline in some experiences, likely due to increased use in more complex, critically ill patients rather than to suboptimal management. Nevertheless, PC-ECLS is proving to be a valuable resource for temporary cardiocirculatory and respiratory support in patients who would otherwise most likely die. Because a comprehensive review of PC-ECLS might be of use for the practitioner, and possibly improve patient management in this setting, the authors have attempted to create a concise, comprehensive and relevant analysis of all aspects related to PC-ECLS, with a particular emphasis on indications, technique, management and avoidance of complications, appraisal of new approaches and ethics, education and training. The article has been co-published with permission in the European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, and the ASAIO Journal. All rights reserved in respect of European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, © European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery 2020, published by Oxford University Press, and in respect of The Annals of Thoracic Surgery © The Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2020, published by Elsevier Inc. and in respect of The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, © American Association for Thoracic Surgery 2020, published by Elsevier Inc. and in respect of ASAIO Journal, © Extracoporeal Life Support Organization 2020, published by Wolters Kluwer. The articles are identical except for minor stylistic and spelling differences in keeping with each journal’s style. Either citation can be used when citing this article.