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. Caso clinico: masculino de 62 anos de edad, con antecedente de enfermedad de Chagas al que se le realizo oxigenacion por membrana extracorporea por fallo ventricular severo, empleandose un sistema venoarterial como terapia puente para trasplante cardiaco, con evolucion satisfactoria. 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.