FAST MYOCARDIAL RECOVERY ENSURED BY THE COMBINED USE OF V-A ECMO and
IMPELLA CP IN CARDIOGENIC SHOCK RELATED TO A PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA CRISIS
Abstract
Pheochromocytoma is a rare catecholamine-secreting tumor derived from
chromaffin cells in the adrenal glands. A pheochromocytoma ‘crisis’
(PCC) can cause haemodynamic instability and end-organ damage or
dysfunction. An excessive stimulation of cardiac myocytes could lead to
myocardial damage with cardiogenic shock (CS). Use of mechanical
circulatory support (MCS) might find an indication in this scenario as a
bridge to myocardial recovery. We present the case of a patient
successfully supported with ECMO (ExtraCorporeal Membrane Oxygenation)
combined with IMPELLA CP heart pump (Abiomed Danvers, MA), for left
ventricular (LV) unloading. MCS was used to favour myocardial recovery
and avoid cardiac remodeling.