Acute cardiac care & resuscitationCohort study
Influence of microaxial flow pump level on haemolysis and kidney injury in patients with cardiogenic shock: a retrospective study
- retrospective observational study
- consecutive patients
- single centre (Saiseikai Kumamoto Hospital, Japan)
Authors' conclusion
Higher mAFP levels are significantly associated with higher PFHb levels, which may increase the risk of AKI in patients treated with mAFP alone.
Study context
- Population
- Patients aged ≥18 years with cardiogenic shock who underwent microaxial flow pumps (mAFP) between December 2019 and March 2025 at Saiseikai Kumamoto Hospital, Japananalysed separately by support type · mAFP alone 49 · V-A ECMO plus mAFP 111
- Participants
- 160 patients
- Exposure
- Association between flow pump level, cumulative plasma-free haemoglobin (PFHb) exposure, and acute kidney injury (AKI)
- mAFP alonen = 49
- V-A ECMO plus mAFPn = 111
- Outcome
- AKI
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Adjusted risk ratio
3.31
95% CI 1.67–6.58
P < 0.001
high flow pump level ≥ P8 for 24 h or longer
adjusted risk ratio 3.31 (95% CI 1.67–6.58); P < 0.001
- Higher cumulative PFHb exposure associated with increased risk of AKI in the mAFP-alone subgroup
- adjusted P for spline = 0.03
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
PFHb levels by mAFP pump level (mAFP alone)
- Higher mAFP pump levels significantly associated with higher PFHb levels
- adjusted P for spline < 0.001
- Association not observed in patients treated with V-A ECMO plus mAFP
Original publication
Influence of microaxial flow pump level on haemolysis and kidney injury in patients with cardiogenic shock: a retrospective study. Eur Heart J Acute Cardiovasc Care. Published 7 August 2026. doi:10.1093/ehjacc/zuag104
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it