Feasibility of veno-arterial extracorporeal life support in awake patients with cardiogenic shock.

Objectives: This study sought to demonstrate outcomes of veno-arterial extracorporeal life support (VA-ECLS) in non-intubated ('awake') patients with cardiogenic shock, as very few studies have investigated safety and feasibility in this population.

Methods: This was a retrospective review of 394 consecutive VA-ECLS patients at our institution from 2017 to 2021. We excluded patients cannulated for indications definitively associated with intubation.