Objectives: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is an established therapy for refractory cardiac and/or pulmonary failure that is not available in all centers. When infants and children require extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, they are sometimes placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in peripheral centers where extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is not available and then transferred on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation to specialized centers. The objective of this study is to first describe one of the largest cohorts of infants and children transported by a mobile unit while on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Design: We undertook a single-center retrospective study that included patients transported while on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation between November 1, 2014, and May 31, 2019. Patients: All patients transported by our mobile extracorporeal membrane oxygenation unit during the study period were included. Computerized data collection was approved by the French Data Protection Authority (Commission nationale de l'informatique et des libertés n° 2121127V0). Main Results: Over the study period, our extracorporeal membrane oxygenation mobile team transported 80 patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation among which 20 were newborns (25%) and 60 were children of 1 month to 17 years old (75%); 57 patients were on venoarterial-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (71%) and 23 on venovenous-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (29%). The average duration of transport was 8.4 hours with a median of 8 hours; the average distance travelled was 189 ± 140 km. Transport was by air and then ground for 50% of the patients and by ground for 42%. We observed a significant decrease in the Vasoactive-Inotropic Score (125 vs 99; p = 0.005) and Paco 2 levels (67 vs 49 mm Hg; p = 0.0005) after arrival in our unit. Survival rate 6 months after PICU discharge was 46% (37). There was a statistically significant relationship between initial lactate level and mortality (p = 0.02). We observed minor adverse events in 39% of the transports and had no mortality during transport. Conclusions: We describe one of the largest cohorts of infants and children transported by a mobile unit while on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Our findings confirm that it is safe to start extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in a referring center and to transport patients using an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation mobile team. The only risk factor associated with higher mortality was an initially elevated lactate level.

Our study supports the use of low continuous intravenous sufentanil doses, consistent with morphine doses currently recommended in this population.

Background: Immunocompromised children are likely to develop a refractory acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The usefulness of providing extracorporeal life support (ECLS) to these patients is a subject of debate. The aim of our study was to report the outcomes and to compare factors associated with mortality between immunocompromised and non-immunocompromised children supported with veno-venous ECMO. Methods:We performed a retrospective monocentric study in the French pediatric ECMO center of Armand Trousseau Hospital, including all pediatric patients aged from 1 month to 18 years requiring ECLS for ARDS.Results: Between 2007 and 2018, one hundred and eleven (111) patients underwent ECMO for respiratory failure; among them twenty-five (25) were immunocompromised. Survival rate at 6 months after intensive care discharge was significantly lower for immunocompromised patients compared to non-immunocompromised ones (41.7% vs. 62.8%; p = 0.04). ARDS severity was similar between the 2 groups. Fungal pneumonias were reported only in immunocompromised patients (12.5% versus 0% in the control group; p = 0.001). Bleeding complications were significantly more frequent in the immunocompromised group and blood product transfusions were also more frequently required in this group. Conclusion:Six months after intensive care discharge, survival rate of immunocompromised children supported with ECMO for pediatric ARDS is lower than for nonimmunocompromised patients. But, the expectation for a favorable outcome is real and it is worth it if their condition is likely to be compatible with a good long-term quality of life.

Background: Immunocompromised children are likely to develop a refractory acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The usefulness of providing extracorporeal life support (ECLS) to these patients is a subject of debate. The aim of our study was to report the outcomes and to compare factors associated with mortality between immunocompromised and non-immunocompromised children supported with veno-venous ECMO. Methods:We performed a retrospective monocentric study in the French pediatric ECMO center of Armand Trousseau Hospital, including all pediatric patients aged from 1 month to 18 years requiring ECLS for ARDS.Results: Between 2007 and 2018, one hundred and eleven (111) patients underwent ECMO for respiratory failure; among them twenty-five (25) were immunocompromised. Survival rate at 6 months after intensive care discharge was significantly lower for immunocompromised patients compared to non-immunocompromised ones (41.7% vs. 62.8%; p = 0.04). ARDS severity was similar between the 2 groups. Fungal pneumonias were reported only in immunocompromised patients (12.5% versus 0% in the control group; p = 0.001). Bleeding complications were significantly more frequent in the immunocompromised group and blood product transfusions were also more frequently required in this group. Conclusion:Six months after intensive care discharge, survival rate of immunocompromised children supported with ECMO for pediatric ARDS is lower than for nonimmunocompromised patients. But, the expectation for a favorable outcome is real and it is worth it if their condition is likely to be compatible with a good long-term quality of life.