Clinical Application of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in the Treatment of Fulminant Myocarditis

Abstract

Fulminant myocarditis (FM) is a rare but serious clinical syndrome which can be characterized by the rapid deterioration of cardiac function, with cardiogenic shock (CS) and arrhythmic electrical storms being common presentations, often requiring adjunctive support with mechanical circulatory devices. With the development of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices, there are now more and more studies investigating the application of MCS in FM patients, and the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to treat FM has shown good survival rates. This review elucidates the treatment of FM, and the application and clinical outcomes associated with ECMO intervention.

Keywords

• extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
• mechanical circulatory support
• fulminant myocarditis
• myocarditis
• cardiogenic shock