New Workgroup to be Established: Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) / Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) / Cardio Thoracic ICU (CTICU) Workgroup

Despite evolution in many areas of critical care medicine, refractory cardiopulmonary failure continues to have high morbidity and mortality. In patients with severe cardiopulmonary failure refractory to medical therapy, mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is more commonly being utilized for both short and long-term support. MCS for circulatory shock includes intraaortic balloon pump (IABP), minimally invasive percutaneous ventricular assist devices (pVADs, e.g., Impella), external and durable LVADs, and venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO); venovenous ECMO is utilized for isolated pulmonary failure. MCS can salvage patients with severe disease to allow time for recovery, facilitate corrective procedures, or bridge to transplantation. The evolution of these therapies underscores the constantly evolving nature of critical care medicine and the importance of innovation in improving patient outcomes.

In the light of these developments and as MCS becomes increasingly prevalent, SOCCA is in the process of establishing a new workgroup called Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) / Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) /Cardio Thoracic ICU (CTICU).

Objectives of this group include:

• Development of educational materials for trainees, anesthesiologists, and intensivists on device physiology, perioperative management, and complications after device implantation
• Organizing educational forums including simulation training
• Collaborating with ASA, STS, ELSO and SCCM to provide updates to the management guidelines for MCS

We cordially invite members who have special interest in MCS to join this workgroup and to help SOCCA with this endeavor.

Our first meeting will be January 19, 2023, at 5PM CST. Please register in advance for this meet-up: SOCCA CTICU/ECMO Meetup Link.

Authors

Lovkesh Arora, MD

Chair, CTICU/ECMO Workgroup

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

Iowa City, Iowa

Lauren Sutherland, MD

Vice Chair, CTICU/ECMO Workgroup

Columbia University Irving Medical Center

New York, New York