Successful resuscitation of acute type A aortic dissection with pulmonary embolism using long-term venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: a case report

Acute aortic dissection (AAD) and pulmonary embolism (PE) are two critical and potentially fatal causes of chest pain. The simultaneous occurrence of these conditions is exceptionally rare; however, when they co-occur, the conflicting therapeutic strategies required significantly elevate mortality rates. While venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) has been extensively reported as a life-saving intervention for high-risk pulmonary embolism, its application in the management of AAD remains highly debated. Recently, our institution successfully employed VA-ECMO to treat a patient with acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) complicated by PE. This case highlights that VA-ECMO may serve as a crucial life-saving measure for patients with AAD who present with hemodynamic instability or cardiac arrest.