Combined mechanical ventilatory and mechanical circulatory support aids pulmonary vascular state in cardiogenic shock

These results demonstrate that combined used of cardiopulmonary support devices in cardiogenic shock can create variable responses compared to classic physiological understanding. In pVAD-supported cardiogenic shock, an increase in ventilatory PEEP increased unloading from the heart and improved right ventricular function, counter to traditional findings. This demonstrates that combined use of these technologies could be leveraged to optimize a patient's volume status in complex shock and provides promise for management of patients with cardiopulmonary failure requiring simultaneous use of mechanical circulatory support and mechanical ventilation.