Advances in Extracorporeal Support Technologies in Critically Ill Children

Abstract

The field of pediatric heart failure is evolving, and the patient population is growing as survival after complex congenital heart surgeries is improving. Mechanical circulatory support and extracorporeal respiratory support in critically ill children has progressed to a mainstay rescue modality in pediatric intensive care medicine. The need for mechanical circulatory support is growing, since the number of organ donors does not meet the necessity. This article aims to review the current state of available mechanical circulatory and respiratory support systems in acute care pediatrics, with an emphasis on the literature discussing the challenges associated with these complex support modalities.

Advances in Pediatric Critical Care- II

“…With the rapid advances in device technology and novel anticoagulation methods, both acute and long-term applications of mechanical circulatory support, including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are being increasingly offered to infants and children with severe acute decompensated heart failure or cardiopulmonary failure. Yuerek et al briefly review the currently available devices and their unique features and challenges for application in critically-ill children [5].…”