In reply to: "Intra-aortic balloon pump protects against hydrostatic pulmonary oedema during peripheral venoarterial-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation".

Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is an increasingly utilized life-saving measure. However, left-ventricular distention from inadequate left-ventricular off-loading can lead to unwanted pulmonary and cardiac complications. We are writing to indicate our agreement with a recent article by Brechot et al. published in the June 2017 issue where the authors demonstrated that intra-aortic balloon pump provides mechanical support to off-load the left ventricle during VA-ECMO, which prevents pulmonary edema.

Duke Scholars

Author Jamie Rae Privratsky Anesthesiology, Critical Care Medicine

Author Alina Nicoara Anesthesiology, Cardiothoracic