Rôle de l'équipe paramédicale dans la mise en place et la surveillance d'une assistance circulatoire en réanimation

Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) represents an exceptional therapeutic method for patients with refractory cardiac shock or arrests that do not respond to conventional treatments and resuscitation. Its feasibility in the intensive care unit makes mandatory the tight cooperation between several medical as well as paramedical workers in a trained multidisciplinary medical and surgical team. The development in the intensive care unit of such a new activity needs the implementation of specific procedures for nurses in a closed connection with the intensivists. Nurse procedures are required regarding the different stages of ECLS performance, including femoral cannulation, ECLS monitoring, weaning, cannula explantation as well as ECLS material management. The success of any ECLS project is based on an important nurses' personnel investment and continuing professional education.