Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) in postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock: how much pump flow is enough?

Post-cardiotomy cardiogenic shock (PCCS) is a complication of heart surgery with an incidence of 0.5–6%, associated with a poor prognosis and mortality rates exceeding 60%, without a significant reduction in the last decade, notwithstanding undeniable technical progresses in mechanical circulatory support (MCS) (1)