How ECMO affects the left side of the heart during severe cardiogenic shock
Official title: Left ventricular physiological effects of veno-arterial ECMO support during cardiogenic shock
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11142616 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how veno-arterial ECMO (a heart–lung support machine) changes left-heart function in people with cardiogenic shock.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | August 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $682,684 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL160973-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11142616 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest who are being considered for or are receiving veno-arterial ECMO, particularly after acute myocardial infarction or with minimal pulsatility, match this work best.
✕Less likely to help
People without cardiogenic shock (for example those needing ECMO only for respiratory failure), or those not eligible for ECMO, are unlikely to be directly affected by this research.
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, the research combines animal experiments and clinical observations to see how VA-ECMO changes left ventricular performance, stroke work, and the risk of the left heart becoming distended. The team will record invasive hemodynamic measurements in controlled animal models and compare those findings with data from patients treated with VA-ECMO. They will examine different management strategies used during ECMO to identify approaches that protect the left ventricle and support recovery. The overall aim is to provide clearer guidance to clinicians about when and how to use ECMO safely in cardiogenic shock.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help clinicians use ECMO more safely and improve survival and heart recovery for people in cardiogenic shock.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal studies suggested ECMO can increase left-ventricular workload while some human observational reports show dramatic recovery in select patients, so prior results are mixed and this work aims to clarify them.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yannopoulos, Demetris — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Yannopoulos, Demetris
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.