Reliable evaluation of left ventricular function during veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenetion

Precise assessment of left ventricular (LV) contractility during veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is crucial. However, changes in loading conditions may mask changes in LV function when assessed with load-dependent indices like LV ejection fraction (LVEF). Indeed, these indices do not reflect intrinsic LV contractility but are the result of interaction between preload, contractile function and afterload [1].