From Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation to Ventricular Assist Device Oxygenation without Sternotomy

We report a method of minimally invasive LV drainage while the patient is receiving peripheral ECMO support and subsequent staged switch to paracorporeal LVAD without the need for a median sternotomy. This strategy allows transformation of a peripheral circulatory support into an effective myocardial and systemic assistance, with minimal invasiveness and surgical risk.