MIRANDOLA, Italy – November 3, 2025
ECPR and Dual Mechanical Circulatory Support in a 66-Year-Old Male
Following their initial successful experience earlier this year, the mechanical circulatory support (MCS) team at Universitätsmedizin Frankfurt has now reported another complex case using the CBM Lifemotion® ECMO system, this time in a high-acuity extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) and dual mechanical circulatory support (ECMELLA) setting.
A 66-year-old male was referred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with severe lactic acidosis, most likely secondary to cardiogenic shock. Shortly after admission, he suffered cardiac arrest. The ECPR team was activated immediately, and bi-femoral veno-arterial extracorporeal life support (ECLS) was initiated using the Lifemotion® system. Time from arrest to initiation of extracorporeal circulation was under 12 minutes, enabling rapid hemodynamic stabilization.
System Setup and Workflow
ECLS was established via bi-femoral cannulation in a veno-arterial configuration, with left ventricular unloading achieved through a micro-axial pump, creating a combined ECMELLA configuration.
The Lifemotion® system performed reliably throughout all phases of support and transport, with no technical or disposable-related issues reported. The ICU and perfusion teams noted smooth handling, stable flow performance, and seamless adaptation during critical workflow transitions.
Transport Path and Team Coordination
Over the course of care, the patient required several intra-hospital transports:
Intensive Care Unit → Radiology Department – console only
- Intensive Care Unit → Radiology Department – console only
- Intensive Care Unit → Catheterization Laboratory – entire sprinter unit, return as ECMELLA
- Intensive Care Unit → Operating Room – entire sprinter unit
Each transfer was conducted by a coordinated team including an intensive care physician, ICU nurse, and perfusionist.
All destinations were located within the same hospital complex but on different floors, with route planning and communication minimizing transfer time and patient risk.
From a clinical perspective, the team emphasized that transport configuration plays a critical role in maintaining system stability and patient safety. While console-only transport can be suitable for short transfers (such as to CT), longer or procedure-based transports often benefit from keeping the entire sprinter unit intact. This approach helps maintain continuous power supply, gas exchange, and temperature control, and provides greater physical stability when positioning the system around procedure tables or narrow hospital pathways.
As the perfusion team noted, “In daily practice, the practical mobility of the complete sprinter unit can be as important as the portability of the console itself. Particularly when moving through tight spaces and procedural environments.”
Outcome and Learnings
ECLS support was maintained for five days, after which the patient was successfully weaned from extracorporeal circulation.
This case underscores the importance of system adaptability in dynamic environments such as the ICU, Radiology Department, Cath Lab, and Operating Room. The Lifemotion® system’s compact mobility and stable operation allowed the team to maintain full control even under demanding, multi-stage care conditions.
As one clinician summarized, “When going full MCS, you need a system that can handle and adapt to changing environments. Lifemotion proved up to the task.”
Conclusion
The latest case at Universitätsmedizin Frankfurt further reinforces the clinical reliability, transport capability, and operational flexibility of the CBM Lifemotion® system. Its performance in combined ECPR and ECMELLA configuration demonstrates the system’s readiness for complex, multi-modality cardiac support scenarios.
The success of this case also reflects the close collaboration between CBM Lifemotion® and Life Systems Medizintechnik-Service GmbH (Life Systems), the official distributor of the Lifemotion® system in Germany. Life Systems provides hospitals and clinical teams with comprehensive support in perfusion and extracorporeal life support, including product distribution, clinical training, and on-site technical expertise. This partnership ensures that teams across Germany receive not only advanced technology but also the dedicated service and know-how needed to deliver the highest standards of patient care.
“Our partnership with Life Systems represents more than technology; it is a commitment to patient care,” said Michael van Driel, VP Business Development & General Manager at CBM Lifemotion®. “We believe that the future of ECLS and perfusion in Europe depends on equipping and empowering outstanding clinical teams like Dr. Marcus Hermann and his colleagues in Frankfurt. These professionals bring skill, collaboration, and heart to every case.”
CBM Lifemotion® extends its sincere thanks to Dr. Marcus Hermann, PD Dr. Robert Stöhr, Dr. Lukas Probst, and the entire MCS team at Universitätsmedizin Frankfurt, as well as Life Systems Medizintechnik-Service GmbH (Life Systems) for their continued collaboration and valuable feedback supporting the advancement of ECMO technology and best practice in critical care.
All clinical details and feedback are shared with permission and in accordance with the institutional publicity policies of Universitätsmedizin Frankfurt. No personal or patient-identifiable information is included. This content is intended for professional and informational purposes only and does not replace clinical guidelines, product labeling, or instructions for use. Device use should always follow CE-marked indications and local protocols
