Dr. Marco Piciche

Istituti Ospedalieri Bergamaschi, Gruppo San Donato, Italy

Abstract Title: Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO): A Life Saving Procedures For Patients With Severe Heart Failure And/Or Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Biography: Marco Picichè (MD, Ph.D.) graduated with a degree in medicine from the University of Florence in 1995 and completed his cardiac surgery residency at the Tor Vergata University of Rome in 2000, both summa cum laude. He has worked as an assistant at Saint Luc Hospital, Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels (1999–2001), as a clinic head/hospital assistant at the universities of Clermont-Ferrand (2003–2004) and Montpellier (2004–2007). He held regular teaching appointments at the university of Montpellier school of medicine, obtained certification by the French Board in cardiac surgery (Paris, 2007), earned his research master in surgical science (Paris, 2007). In Canada he authored a research project on ‘‘Noncoronary collateral circulation,’’ at Québec Heart & Lung Institute, Laval University. In September 2011 he received a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) in therapeutic innovations from Paris-Sud University. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the book Dawn and Evolution of Cardiac Procedures: Research Avenues in Cardiac Surgery and Interventional Cardiology (Springer-Verlag), a volume which, to date, has reached 56,000 chapter downloads Based at Vicenza Hospital as a consultant cardiac surgeon, he also held a one-year position as a locum consultant in Denmark (2024). He then worked on a three-month humanitarian mission as a cardiac surgeon in Rwanda, and he is currently on mission in Iraq, with Istituti Ospedalieri Bergamaschi - GSD.

Research Interest: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has emerged as a life-saving therapy for patients with severe cardiac and/or respiratory failure refractory to conventional management. By providing temporary circulatory and respiratory support, ECMO allows end-organ recovery and serves as a bridge to definitive therapies, including heart or lung transplantation. Indications for ECMO include severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), cardiogenic shock, post-cardiotomy failure, and refractory cardiac arrest. Advances in circuit design, anticoagulation strategies, and patient selection have significantly improved survival rates and reduced complication risks. Veno-venous (VV) ECMO is primarily used for respiratory support, whereas veno-arterial (VA) ECMO provides both cardiac and respiratory support. Optimal timing of initiation, meticulous monitoring, and a multidisciplinary approach are critical for favorable outcomes. However, despite technological improvements, ECMO remains resource-intensive and is associated with complications such as bleeding, thrombosis, and infection. Recent observational studies and registry data demonstrate that early referral to ECMO centers, standardized protocols, and experienced teams are key determinants of success. This abstract summarizes current indications, modalities, challenges, and outcomes of ECMO, highlighting its role as a pivotal tool in the management of critically ill patients and emphasizing the importance of institutional expertise in achieving optimal results.