Rubino A, et al. - Central veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (C-VA-ECMO) provides temporary cardiorespiratory support for patients in heart failure who cannot be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass successfully. Outcomes are influenced by the reversibility of the initial insult and complications of the technique. In this study, review of all patients supported with C-VA-ECMO after cardiothoracic surgery revealed that due to the commencement of C-VA-ECMO after cardiac surgery, overall one-third of patients who would otherwise have died from postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock were survived. Also, it was noted that survival was greater in transplantation patients necessitating this form of support during or immediately after surgery.