# Single arterial access technique for simultaneous dual mechanical circulatory support in cardiogenic shock

## TL;DR

A new technique uses one artery to support heart function in severe shock, reducing complications.

## Contribution

A single arterial access technique for dual mechanical circulatory support is introduced.

## Key findings

- Using the axillary artery allows for both ECLS and an intra-aortic balloon pump with one access site.
- This approach may reduce vascular complications from multiple arterial accesses.

## Abstract

Temporary mechanical circulatory support is a treatment of choice for patients in severe cardiogenic shock. Combining veno-arterial extracorporeal life support (ECLS) with devices that enable left ventricular unloading emerges as a promising strategy to diminish detrimental effect of elevated left ventricular afterload and to improve survival. However, the need to establish multiple arterial access sites remains a major drawback of this approach due to a significant rate of vascular complications. We describe herein a case of a single arterial access for ECLS and intra-aortic balloon pump using axillary artery that may provide a simple, modular and flexible approach for escalation or de-escalation of mechanical circulatory support.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13019-024-02581-6.