Study Links Microaxial Flow Pump Levels to Increased Risk of Acute Kidney Injury in Cardiogenic Shock Patients
A recent retrospective study has identified a significant association between higher microaxial flow pump (mAFP) levels and an increased risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with cardiogenic shock. Conducted at Saiseikai Kumamoto Hospital in Japan, the study analyzed 160 patients who underwent mAFP treatment between December 2019 and March 2025. The findings revealed that patients treated with mAFP alone, as opposed to those receiving combined veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) and mAFP, exhibited higher plasma-free hemoglobin (PFHb) levels, which correlated with a greater risk of AKI. The study highlights the potential risks associated with high mAFP levels, particularly when maintained at or above P8 for 24 hours or longer, which significantly increased the likelihood of AKI occurrence. 
