Mechanical Circulatory Support Explained: LVAD, IABP, and ECMO | Critical Care Guide

Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is a cornerstone of modern critical care, cardiology, and cardiac surgery. In this episode, we review the most important devices — LVADs, intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), and ECMO — with a focus on when and how they’re used.

📌 What’s covered in this video: Basics of mechanical circulatory support (MCS). LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device): how it works, indications, complications, alarms, suction events. IABP (Intra-aortic Balloon Pump): mechanism, timing, clinical pearls. ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation): types (VA vs VV), patient selection, and troubleshooting. Practical ICU and ED applications.

📖 More Resources Download study guides, infographics, and practice questions here: https://www.patreon.com/collection/1443765

Timestamps:

Chapter 1 (0:00 - 33:37) - LVAD Anatomy, Physiology, Indications, Contraindications, Evaluation, Complications

Chapter 2 (33:38 - 47:17) - LVAD Alarms Flow, Power, Pulsatility Index

Chapter 3 (47:18 - 57:52) - LVAD Suction Events

Chapter 4 (57:53 - 01:19:15) - IABP Placement, Waveforms, Hemodynamics, Indications, Complications

Chapter 5 (01:19:16 - 01:53:53) - ECMO Principles, Types, Anatomy, Indications, Complications

Link to YouTube Video: 

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