080 Heliported ECMO for cardiogenic shock expands cardiac assist surgical programs

Results Mean distance from our ICU was 42 miles (1-143). Maximal time limit between phone call and implantation was 90 min. Mean LVEF evaluated by TTE was 19 ± 5%. Indications were fulminant myocarditis, pharmacologic suicide attempt, acute myocardial infarction, post-partum cardiopathy, end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy. They received a percutaneous veno-arterial femoral ECMO with immediate reperfusion of the limb. Seventeen patients (45%) were successfully weaned from ECMO after 9.4 ± 8.7 days. Four patients (11%) were transplanted. One patient (3%) was switched to a left ventricular assist device and successfully transplanted. Twenty-one patients (55%) survived to hospital discharge. Conclusions The Heliported Cardiac Remote Assist unit allowed the emergent implant of ECMO support and could rescue 55% of otherwise lethal cardiogenic shock patients in remote institutions.