ECPELLA as the bridge to surgery in patients with cardiogenic shock due to post-infarct papillary muscle rupture: management of mechanical circulatory support during operation.

Papillary muscle rupture is a fatal complication with a high operative mortality. Most patients experience cardiogenic shock and hypoxia due to pulmonary edema caused by severe mitral regurgitation. Although preoperative stabilization using a mechanical assist device potentially improves surgical outcomes, an appropriate strategy has not yet been established. ECPELLA, combining venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and Impella, has the potential to stabilize preoperative status and improve outcome in patients with refractory cardiogenic shock due to papillary muscle rupture. Herein, we present 3 cases involving the efficacy of ECPELLA and our tips of surgical and ECPELLA management in patients with papillary muscle rupture.