The use of veno-veno-arterial ECMO as a successful strategy in acute mitral regurgitation secondary to papillary muscle rupture causing cardiogenic shock and profound hypoxemia: a case report

Acute mitral regurgitation (MR) secondary to papillary muscle rupture is a rare mechanical complication of acute myocardial infarction occurring in 0.05-0.26% of all cases of myocardial infarction. The only treatment is emergency mitral valve surgery with high operative mortality reaching up to 39%. The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenator (ECMO) as a stabilization strategy and a bridge to recovery may potentially improve the outcome of such cases. Here, we report a case of acute MR presenting with cardiogenic shock and severe hypoxia that required insertion of veno-veno-arterial ECMO initially and followed by emergency mitral valve replacement. This strategy proved useful with full recovery of the patient.