Jäämaa-Holmberg S, et al. - Researchers conducted a retrospective study of 133 consecutive patients with cardiogenic shock who were treated with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) in a single centre from 2007 to 2016 for their outcome, including the subsequent long-term health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Of all patients, 66 (49.6%) were weaned from VA ECMO and 16 (12.0%) patients were bridged directly to a transplant, 15 (11.3%) to a ventricular assist device and 1 (0.8%) to a total artificial heart. Outcomes suggest achievement of acceptable long-term survival with good HRQoL using VA ECMO in selected patients with refractory cardiogenic shock. Given a higher in-hospital mortality rate in correlation to deeper acidosis, they suggest the timing of patient assessment and of VA ECMO implantation as essential.