61: Jason Bartos – ECPR Redefined

The University of Minnesota's approach to ECPR and its impact on cardiac arrest survival rates is examined, featuring Jason Bartos, an interventional cardiologist. Bartos details their protocol of direct transport to the cath lab for ECMO implementation, achieving rapid intervention times and significantly improved survival, particularly in VF patients. A comparison against the ALPS trial highlights the superior outcomes of the ECPR program, which integrates pre-hospital care, ECMO, PCI, and post-arrest care. Bartos emphasizes the importance of aggressive post-initiation care, including surgical interventions and a commitment to providing all necessary treatments until death is determined, illustrated by a case of successful recovery after a right ventricular rupture.