Literature Search Method
A comprehensive literature search is done through all the available
electronic database to identity articles that discussed the use of
extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation and mechanical circulatory support
following cardiac surgery. The key words used were ‘mechanical
circulatory’ ‘extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation’ ‘ECMO ‘Cardiac
surgery’ ‘VA-ECMO OR VV-ECMO’ ‘Cardiogenic shock’ ‘Intra-aortic balloon
pump’ ‘circulatory support’ ‘mechanical support’. Those key words were
used in the form of combined search terms to maximize the search
outputs. The inclusion criteria were articles that discussed the
indications, outcomes and survival benefit from using mechanical
circulatory support in the form of VV-ECMO or VA-ECMO, limits were
placed on English language papers only. A summary table for each
relevant section is provided, where applicable.