Abstract
Acute myocarditis generally shows varied clinical courses. Some cases develop cardiogenic shock induced by low output syndrome or life-threatening arrhythmia, such as ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, asystole, and complete atrioventricular block, resulting in a poor prognosis. Recently, mechanical cardiopulmonary support systems (intraaortic balloon pumping, IABP; percutaneous cardiopulmonary support, PCPS; and ventricular assistant device, VAS) have been proposed as lifesaving treatments of acute fulminant myocarditis.
It is important to use PCPS referring to standardized indicators of circulatory failure and cardiac function. Especially, it is necessary to adjust an appropriate flow support level to promote recovery from environmental insufficiency and to prevent complications associated with PCPS, such as leg ischemia and multiple organ failure.
