Higher extracorporeal membrane oxygenation case volume is associated with improved hospital survival in pediatric cardiac extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients. The results of this study may support the paradigm of regionalized centers of excellence for managing pediatric cardiac extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients.

Improved dual-lumen catheter design has resulted in greater efficiency of gas exchange during extracorporeal life support. However, standard venovenous (S-VV) catheters are prone to structural deformation that reduces flow capacity. Wire-reinforced dual-lumen catheters have recently been introduced to reduce the risk of structural deformation. A retrospective review was performed on 25 neonates and infants who received venovenous extracorporeal life support (ECLS) to evaluate the occurrence and nature of catheter-related complications and events related to interrupted ECLS. Comparisons were made between patients supported with wire-reinforced and non-wire-reinforced dual-lumen catheters. No significant difference in number of catheter-related complications or flow-interruption events was observed. The use of wire-reinforced catheters appeared to increase the risk of cardiac perforation whereas non-wire-reinforced catheters appeared to be more prone to early failure. Once support was established, interruptions of extracorporeal flow occurred with the same frequency during the initial 72 hours, regardless of the type of catheter used. Further improvements in dual-lumen VV catheter design may reduce the risk of failure and injury and improve efficiency of extracorporeal gas exchange.

The development of tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy (TIC) is related to the rate and duration of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Infants may be more susceptible to TIC because early symptoms might be unrecognized. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) may improve outcome in patients with SVT and TIC; however, clinical predictors of infants who require ECMO support have not been determined. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of the need for ECMO in infants with SVT and TIC. Sixteen infants <6 months of age who experienced resolution of TIC following control of arrhythmia were identified. Three patients (19%) required ECMO support. Comparisons were made between patients who required ECMO and those who did not. The groups were similar with respect to age at presentation, type of SVT, rate of SVT, and degree of ventricular dysfunction. However, patients requiring ECMO had increased median M-mode-derived left ventricular end diastolic dimension (LVED) z-score when compared to the medically managed patents (+2.8 vs. 0.0, P = 0.009). No patient in the medically managed group had an LVED z-score >2.3. Infants presenting with SVT and TIC with LVED z-score >2 are at increased risk for requiring ECMO support and early use of ECMO should be considered.