Usefulness of hybrid veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for lung ischemia-reperfusion injury after biventricular assist device implantation.

We experienced a case of fulminant myocarditis complicated by severe lung ischemia-reperfusion injury after switching from veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation to biventricular assist device. We controlled lung blood flow by hybrid veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, which was established by modifying the biventricular assist device circuit without resternotomy, blood delivery to the pulmonary artery and blood removal from the left ventricle in addition to central veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and accelerated lung recovery. The patient's lung damage and cardiac function were restored, and she completely recovered and was discharged without any complications. Regulation of lung blood flow is important and effective for lung ischemia-reperfusion injury after biventricular assist device implantation.
(© 2022. The Japanese Society for Artificial Organs.)