[Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a bridge for heart transplantation by Chagas cardiomyopathy].

BACKGROUND

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is a technique indicated in cases of severe respiratory failure or in situations where pump failure or heart failure is refractory to conventional medical treatment. Our goal was to describe the results of a patient with chronic Chagas dilated cardiomyopathy treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as bridging therapy for heart transplantation.

CASE REPORT: A 62-year old male with a history of Chagas disease and severe ventricular failure who underwent veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as bridging therapy for heart transplantation, with good clinical evolution.

CONCLUSION

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is a temporary, viable, safe and effective alternative for patients with severe heart failure refractory to treatment who will undergo transplantation.