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Overview The use of extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy to treat severe COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory failure is increasing worldwide. We reported herein the use of veno-venous ECMO in a patient with cold agglutinin haemolytic anaemia (CAHA) who suffered from severe COVID-19 infection. Description A 64-year-old man presented to the emergency department (ED) with incremental complaints of dyspnoea and cough since one week. His history consisted of CAHA, which responded well to corticosteroid treatment. Because of severe hypoxemia, urgent intubation and mechanical ventilation were necessary. Despite deep sedation, muscle paralysis and prone ventilation, P/F ratio remained low. Though his history of CAHA, he still was considered for VV-ECMO. As lab results pointed to recurrence of CAHA, corticosteroids and rituximab were started. The VV-ECMO run was short and rather uncomplicated. Although, despite treatment, CAHA persisted and caused important complications of intestinal ischemia, which needed multiple surgical interventions. Finally, the patient suffered from progressive liver failure, thought to be secondary to ischemic cholangitis. One month after admission, therapy was stopped and patient passed away. Conclusion Our case report shows that CAHA is no contraindication for VV-ECMO, even when both titre and thermal amplitude are high. Although, the aetiology of CAHA and its response to therapy will determine the final outcome of those patients.

Introduction: Despite advances in heart failure therapies and percutaneous coronary interventions, survival for cardiogenic shock remains poor. Percutaneous ventricular assist devices (pVAD) are increasingly used, but current evidence remains conflicting. The Impella is an example of such a device, based on a catheter mounted micro-axial continuous flow pump, that has been rapidly adopted in routine practice. An important aspect of postimplantation care is the prevention of complications. Hemolysis is one of the most frequent complications seen with this device. Areas covered: In this review, we discuss the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of hemolysis in patients supported with a pVAD. A practical algorithm for rapid identification of hemolysis and the underlying cause is presented, allowing for early treatment and prevention of further complications. Expert opinion: Hemolysis remains a threat to patients supported with any mechanical circulatory support device. Prevention as well as treatment demands for sufficient knowledge about the device, the optimal position, and hemodynamics. Future studies should try to clarify some of the elements that are still unclear, such as optimal anticoagulation, the location of pentoxifylline, or extracorporeal removal of free hemoglobin. This could help to optimize outcomes in clinical practice as well as future studies.

Aims Patients presenting with cardiogenic shock (CS) related to acute, severe mitral regurgitation (MR) are often considered too ill for immediate surgical intervention. Therefore, other less invasive techniques for haemodynamic stabilization should be explored. The purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate the feasibility and outcomes in patients with CS due to severe MR by using a novel approach combining haemodynamic stabilization with left Impella-support plus MR-reduction using MitraClip®. Methods and results We analysed whether a combined left Impella®/MitraClip®-procedure in a rare population of CS-patients with acute MR requiring mechanical ventilation is a feasible strategy to recovery in patients who had been declined cardiac surgery. Six INTERMACS-1 CS-patients with acute MR were studied at two tertiary cardiac intensive care units. The mean EURO-II score was 39 ± 19% and age 66.8 ± 4.9 years. All patients had an initial pulmonary capillary wedge pressure >20 mmHg and pulmonary oedema necessitating invasive ventilation. Cardiac output was severely impaired (left ventricular outflow tract velocity time index 9.8 ± 1.8 cm), requiring mechanical circulatory support (MCS) (Impella®-CP; mean flow 2.9 ± 1.8 L per minute; mean support 9.7 ± 6.0 days). Despite MCS-guided unloading, weaning from ventilation failed due to persisting pulmonary oedema necessitating MR-reduction. In all cases, the severe MR was reduced to mild using percutaneous MitraClip®-procedure, followed by successful weaning from invasive ventilation. Survival to discharge was 86%, with all surviving and rare readmission for heart failure at 6 months. Conclusions A combined Impella®/MitraClip®-strategy appears a novel, feasible alternative for weaning CS-patients presenting with acute, severe MR. Upfront Impella®-stabilization facilitates safe bridging to Mitraclip®-procedure and the staged approach facilitates successful weaning from ventilatory support.