Extra-Corporeal Life Support
Tipologia: Trapiantologia
Principal Investigator: Dott. Belliato Mirko
Our research focuses on the application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in severe acute respiratory failure, including studies on extracorporeal lung support for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and its use as a bridge to lung transplantation. We also investigate the use of ECMO in cardiogenic shock and heart failure, with a particular focus on short- and medium-term mechanical circulatory support for patients with severe cardiac or circulatory failure.
In addition, we conduct research in the field of life-fluidics for critical care, including the design and development of smart infusion systems aimed at improving patient safety while reducing costs, innovative devices for managing multiple intravenous infusions in critically ill patients, and novel extracorporeal oxygenators and ECMO cannulae.
Furthermore, we are actively developing research on neuromonitoring in patients receiving artificial cardiocirculatory or respiratory support. Our work includes the identification of neurological prognostic factors and the development of strategies to prevent and reduce neurological complications in patients undergoing ECMO for both cardiac and respiratory indications.
Ongoing research:
- "ECPR onsite" project feasibility study of ECMO implantation in patients with refractory cardiac arrest in the Province of Pavia and metabolomic analysis of biological fluids (serum and plasma) from patients with cardiac arrest in the Pavia area to evaluate the association between metabolic/protein profile and ischemia/reperfusion injury.
- Current research "FibroGAP": Analysis of proteomic markers in PCLS patients treated with a fibrotic cocktail to identify proteomic biomarkers associated with pulmonary fibrosis. The proteomic profile will help uncover the key molecular pathways involved in fibrosis progression. Analysis of differences in proteomic marker expression in tissues from different patients and assessment of intra-slide and inter-slide variability in response to FC treatment are also planned.
- Protocol "Correlation of HMGB1 Levels and Non-Septic Vasoplegia in Adult Patients After ECC or During ECMO or VAD": Evaluation of the time course, using ELISA, of plasma HMGB1 levels in adult subjects with non-septic vasoplegia developing after ECC or during ECMO or VAD support.
- Study "Hemadsorption (HA) Combined with Hemodialysis to Prevent the Progression of Cardiac Surgery-Associated Acute Kidney Injury (CSA-AKI)": Processing and storage of biological samples (blood and urine). The study aims to compare the effects of hemadsorption with HA380 combined with continuous venovenous hemodialysis (CVVHD) versus standard CVVHD alone in patients undergoing cardiac surgery requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT).
- The Kidney Function at VV ECMO Implantation Study: A multicenter, observational study involving 10–12 intensive care centers and up to 300 patients undergoing V-V ECMO for severe ARDS. The study will collect clinical, respiratory, hemodynamic, and renal data to further explore the interactions between extracorporeal support and organ function, strengthening an international collaborative research network.
- Arens J, Belliato M, Broman LM, Clauser JC, Donker DW, Lorusso R, Malfertheiner M, Rajsic S, Swol J, Vercaemst L, Prahl Wittberg L; EACTS Innovation Committee, Section CPB; ECLS & MCS and the EuroELSO Innovation Group; EACTS Innovation Committee, Section CPB and ECLS & MCS and the EuroELSO Innovation Group. Standardization of In-Vitro Evaluation of Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS) Devices for Research and Development. ASAIO J. 2026 Jul 1;72(7):525-538. doi: 10.1097/MAT.0000000000002623. Epub 2026 Apr 3. PMID: 41931830; PMCID: PMC13299036.
- Rorro F, Prahl Wittberg L, Taccone FS, Barrett NA, Malfertheiner MV, Di Nardo M, Swol J, Belohlavek J, Vercaemst L, Pappalardo F, Lorusso R, Belliato M, Broman LM; EuroELSO Working Group on Innovation and Technology. Pressure - flow measurements of pumps used in extracorporeal life support. Perfusion. 2026 Aug 10:2676591261476520. doi: 10.1177/02676591261476520. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42576280.
- Mandigers L, den Uil CA, Belliato M, Raemen H, Rossi E, van Rosmalen J, Rietdijk WJR, Melis JR, Gommers D, van Thiel RJ, Dos Reis Miranda D. Higher mean cerebral oxygen saturation shortly after extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in patients who regain consciousness. Artif Organs. 2023 Sep;47(9):1479-1489. doi: 10.1111/aor.14548. Epub 2023 Apr 28. PMID: 37042484.
- Epis F, Belliato M. Oxygenator performance and artificial-native lung interaction. J Thorac Dis. 2018 Mar;10(Suppl 5):S596-S605. doi: 10.21037/jtd.2017.10.05. PMID: 29732176; PMCID: PMC5911558.
- Gazzaniga G, Voltini M, Carletti A, Lenta E, Meloni F, Briganti DF, Avanzini MA, Comoli P, Belliato M. Potential application of mesenchymal stromal cells as a new therapeutic approach in acute respiratory distress syndrome and pulmonary fibrosis. Respir Res. 2024 Apr 18;25(1):170. doi: 10.1186/s12931-024-02795-1. PMID: 38637860; PMCID: PMC11027419.
An experimental laboratory with full facilities for establishment and maintenance of cell lines, protein and nucleic acid extraction, reverse transcription, real-time PCR, isolation of serum, plasma, and PBMCs from peripheral blood, development and execution of ELISA assays, Western Blot. Moreover it is available the technologic equipment to studies liquid and gas fluid dynamics, high-fidelity simulation of ECMO technologies (including pumps, cannulae, and related devices), for the development and evaluation of advanced systems for monitoring ECMO performance and patient–device interactions during extracorporeal support.
Registered Patent: Vascular simulation device for medical training in us-guided procedure.
- Patient-Device interaction monitoring and optimisation in cardiogenic shock patients - Abiomed
- ECPR onsite - Fondazione Comunitaria della Provincia di Pavia
• ECMO Center Karolinska, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden;
• Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Department, Heart&Vascular Centre, Maastricht University Medical Hospital, Maastricht, Netherlands;
• Department of Intensive Care Department of Infectious Diseases, Hôpital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium,
• Department of Intensive Care, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands;
• Department of Internal Medicine II, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany;
• Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (TIN) Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Città del Vaticano;
• Comprehensive Cardiovascular Center, General University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic;
• Faculty of Engineering University of Pavia, Italia;
• 3D4MED, 3D Printing Clinical Lab, Foundation IRCCS Policlinic San Matteo, Pavia, Italy;
• Research & Development department of Eurosets srl, Medolla, Italy;
• IRCCS Fondazione Cà Granda Policlinico di Milano, Italy;
• IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera San Gerardo, Monza, Italy;
• Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy;
• Università di Milano Bicocca, Italy.
Tavazzi Guido (UNIPV); Pagani Michele; Pellegrini Carlo (UNIPV); Bottazzi Andrea; Laneri Monica; Perlini Stefano (UNIPV); Salinaro Francesco (UNIPV); Rossini Barbara; Civardi Luca; Epis Francesco; Palo Alessandra; Cascina Alessandro; Conio Valentina; Pellegrini Andrea; Dezza Chiara; Ferlini Marco; Milanesi Elisa; Riccardi Maria Chiara; Mascotti Alessandra; Bozzini Sara; Cortesi Sergio; Maria Chiara Mimmi; Albertini Riccardo; Comoli Patrizia; Veronesi Roberto; Cornara Pietro; Enrico Contri; Seminari Maria Elena; Simona De Gregori; Anna Aliberti; Alessandro Amatu; Brambati Matteo; Contri Enrico; Padovani Giulio; Ribera Claudia.
Dott. Belliato Mirko
Ultimo aggiornamento: 27/08/2026
