Mechanical Circulatory Support in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Despite the rapid evolution in the development of endovascular surgery, the mortality of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) with high risk of severe cardiac complications and critical conditions (cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest) remains extremely high. The success of PCI directly depends on the ability of the Heart Team to prevent and timely eliminate severe cardiac disorders. Despite the rapid evolution in the development of endovascular surgery, the mortality of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) with high risk of severe cardiac complications and critical conditions (cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest) remains extremely high. The success of PCI directly depends on the ability of the Heart Team to prevent and timely eliminate severe cardiac disorders. Pharmacological therapy is not able to completely resist the development of severe cardiac events during PCI. In such situations the usage of devices for percutaneous mechanical circulation support (PMCS) can make an invaluable help in the treatment of this group of patients. Despite the fact that the PMCS devices are used to stabilize patients with cardiogenic shock and to provide hemodynamic support for high-risk PCI for several decades, the results of their application remain ambiguous. The purpose of this article is to review all existing literature on modern PMCS devices, available data and research results, indications for their use, and operational considerations that can ensure the decision-making process in selecting optimal PMCS devices.