The first experience of extracorporal membrane oxygenation application in severe primary graft failure following heart transplantation

Introduction. The number of surgically treated cases of heart failure by means of orthotopic heart transplantation is increasing every year. At the same time, there is a shortage of optimal donors for heart transplantation, being a factor that leads to a primary graft dysfunction in the intra- and immediate postoperative period. In order to reduce the risk of complications and increase patient survival rates in primary heart graft dysfunction, a number of transplant centers resort to the choice of the treatment by means of mechanical circulatory support, such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Clinical case. In the early postoperative period after heart transplantation, the patient was diagnosed with developing primary graft dysfunction. The clinical response to medication support of hemodynamics was unsatisfactory. Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was performed. On the 4th day, the regional contractility of the left ventricle restored, the ejection fraction of both ventricles increased, their systolic function improved. The patient was discharged on the 21st day in a satisfactory condition. Conclusion. Mechanical circulatory support modalities, such as venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, can compensate for the emerging primary myocardial dysfunction in recipients. The efficiency of the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is achieved not only by knowledge of current clinical recommendations, but also depends on the implementation of other clinics' experience as well as technical readiness of the center and medical personnel' qualification.