Early catheterization after initiation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in children is associated with improved survival

The Lifesaving Impact of Transcatheter Interventions in the Early Post-Fontan Palliation Period

Despite advancements in postoperative outcomes after Fontan surgery, there remains a risk of suboptimal outcomes and significant morbidity in the early postoperative period. Anatomical obstructions in the Fontan pathway can lead to prolonged pleural effusion or ascites, cyanosis, and low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS). Transcatheter interventions offer an alternative to early re-surgery for treating these complications. Over a 13-year period, early catheter angiography, performed within 30 days post-index procedure, was administered to 41 patients, identifying anatomical issues that necessitated re-intervention in 39 cases. This led to transcatheter interventions in 37 (10.4%) of the 344 Fontan surgery patients. The median age was 4.8 years (IQR: 4-9.4), and the median weight was 16.5 kg (IQR: 15-25.2), with females comprising 51.4% (19/37) of this group. The primary indications for the procedures were persistent pleural effusion or ascites in 27 patients (66%), LCOS in 8 patients (20%), and cyanosis in 6 patients (14%). Among the 37 undergoing transcatheter intervention, 30 were treated solely with this method and discharged, three died in ICU follow-up, and four required early re-surgery. No procedural mortality was observed. Our findings demonstrate that transcatheter interventions, including stent implantation, balloon angioplasty, and fenestration dilation, are safe and effective in the early post-Fontan period. Therefore, they should be considered an integral part of the management strategy for this patient group.

Transcatheter management of life-threatening pulmonary arteriovenous fistula with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in an infant

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation is a rare disease leading to cyanosis, where there is a direct relation between the pulmonary artery and pulmonary vein without a capillary structure. Arteriovenous fistulae may be single or multiple. Clinical signs emerge depending on the size of the fistulae and amount of shunt. Due to the advancements in transcatheter devices and increased experience render enable the fistula embolisation procedure as an alternative to surgical treatment. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is used to support the patient haemodynamically and respirationally in cases of treatment-resistant, severe and revocable cardiac or pulmonary sufficiency. This paper presents an infant patient with pulmonary arteriovenous malformation, who had haemodynamic instability due to severe hypoxia and received successful transcatheter fistula embolisation via extracorporeal membrane oxygenation under emergency conditions.

Is combined use of radiofrequency ablation and balloon dilation the future of interatrial communications?

INTRODUCTION

Personalized and stable interatrial communication is an important palliative therapy for patients with heart failure. However, this remains a technically challenging task.

AREAS COVERED

In the past decades, substantial advancements in atrial septostomy for the creation of controllable and durable interatrial communication have been made, and numerous novel devices and techniques are in various stages of development. In this review, we discuss the evolving indications for atrial septostomy, current approaches with or without device implantation, and indicators for optimal interatrial communication. The combined use of radiofrequency ablation and balloon dilation (CURB) is an individualized management approach based on underlying hemodynamics, which demonstrates unique advantages in creating a sufficient interatrial communication with satisfactory stability. The advantages and disadvantages of this implant-free procedure are analyzed and its clinical prospects are assessed.

EXPERT OPINION

With ready availability, high safety, and efficacy, CURB is a promising procedure for creating personalized and stable interatrial communication without device implantation. Further research is required to simplify the procedure, screen optimal reference parameters for personalized therapy, and evaluate the long-term outcome in a large population of patients.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Congenital Heart Disease

Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is a key therapy in the management of patients with severe cardiac disease or respiratory failure. There are two major forms of MCS commonly employed in the pediatric population—extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and ventricular assist device (VAD). These modalities have overlapping but distinct roles in the management of pediatric patients with severe cardiopulmonary compromise. The use of ECMO to provide circulatory support arose from the development of the first membrane oxygenator by George Clowes in 1957, and subsequent incorporation into pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) by Dorson and colleagues. The first successful application of ECMO in children with congenital heart disease undergoing cardiac surgery was reported by Baffes et al. in 1970. For the ensuing nearly two decades, ECMO was performed sparingly and only in specialized centers with varying degrees of success. The formation of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) in 1989 allowed for the collation of ECMO-related data across multiple centers for the first time. This facilitated development of consensus guidelines for the use of ECMO in various populations. Coupled with improving ECMO technology, these advances resulted in significant improvements in ECMO utilization, morbidity, and mortality. This article will review the use of ECMO in children with congenital heart disease.

Indications and outcomes of cardiac catheterization following congenital heart surgery in children

OBJECTIVES

Our goal was to evaluate the indications for postoperative cardiac catheterizations after paediatric cardiac surgeries and their impact on outcomes.

METHODS

Non-planned cardiac catheterizations performed after congenital heart surgeries and before discharge between January 2013 and July 2019 were reviewed. Hybrid procedures were excluded. Heart defects, illness course, surgeries and catheter procedures were classified. Indications and findings were comprehensively regrouped. Outcomes were analysed.

RESULTS

Cardiac catheterizations were performed on 192 patients (median age 2.3 months, weight 4.2 kg) on median postoperative day 7 (interquartile range, 2-17 days). Patients had defects of great complexity (79.9%), high disease severity index (46.4%), high Aristotle level of surgical complexity (75%) and a high Catheterization RISk Score for Pediatrics category of catheterizations (61%). Catheterizations confirmed 66% of suspected diagnoses. Confirmed diagnoses were more likely to be haemodynamic anomalies than anatomical lesions (81.3% > 53.7%, P < 0.001). Confirmed anatomical lesions were more likely to be residual than new lesions created by surgery (88.5% > 40.4%, P < 0.001). New diagnoses were identified in 36.5% of patients. Catheterization findings led to catheter-based or surgical interventions in 120 (62.5%) patients. Transcatheter interventions were successful (97.7%), immediate (89.5%) and performed across fresh suture lines (27.8%). Repeat catheterizations (76% interventional) were necessary in 25 (13%) patients. A high index of disease severity [odds ratio (OR): 16.26, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.72-71.17], extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support (OR: 10.35, 95% CI: 2.78-38.56), delayed sternal closure (OR: 4.66, 95% CI: 1.25-17.32) and surgically acquired lesions (OR: 3.70, 95% CI: 1.22-11.16) were significant risk factors of 12-month mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative cardiac catheterizations answer both anatomical and haemodynamic questions in high-risk patients with complicated courses and guide subsequent treatment with satisfactory outcomes.

Cardiac Catheterization During Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation After Congenital Cardiac Surgery: A Multi-Center Retrospective Study

Cardiac catheterization can affect clinical outcomes in patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) after congenital heart surgery; however, its effect in this group of patients remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and outcome of cardiac catheterization in patients undergoing ECMO after congenital cardiac surgery and determine predictors that influence successful weaning. This retrospective cohort study included pediatric patients who underwent cardiac catheterization while on ECMO after congenital heart surgery in two cardiac centers between November 2012 and February 2020. Predictors of successful weaning from ECMO were studied using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Of 123 patients on ECMO support after congenital cardiac surgery, 60 patients underwent 60 cardiac catheterizations (31 diagnostic and 29 interventional). Thirty-four (56.7%) and 22 patients (36.7%) underwent successful decannulation from ECMO support and survived after hospital discharge, respectively. Patients who underwent earlier catheterization (within 24 h of ECMO initiation) had more successful weaning from ECMO and survival compared to others. Patients who underwent an interventional procedure (interventional catheterization or redo cardiac surgery after cardiac catheterization) had better survival than those who underwent only diagnostic catheterization (P = 0.038). Shorter durations of ECMO was the most important predictor of successful weaning from ECMO. Early cardiac catheterization greatly impacts successful weaning from ECMO and survival. Patients with correctable lesions amenable either by catheterization or redo surgery are more likely to survive. Shorter durations of ECMO could have a significant influence on successful weaning from ECMO and survival.

Repeat Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support Is Appropriate in Selected Children With Cardiac Disease: An Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Study

OBJECTIVE

Children requiring multiple consecutive extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) runs likely have ongoing cardiac pathology (eg, residual lesions, myocardial dysfunction) and are exposed to increased complications and end-organ failure. Often, repeat back-to-back ECMO is suggested to be futile due to poor reported survival.

METHODS

Using Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) data (2011-2019), we evaluated children (n = 669) who received multiple cardiac ECMO runs (≥2) within 30 days interval. Factors associated with hospital mortality were evaluated using multivariable regression analysis.

RESULTS

Median ECMO runs was 2 (range: 2-5) including 294 (44%) patients who received extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR). There were 250 (37%) hospital survivors. Survivors were more likely older, Caucasian, and less likely to have hypoplastic left heart syndrome, require >2 runs, receive longer support duration, require inotropes or have acidosis while on ECMO, or develop renal and neurological complications. On multivariable analysis, factors associated with death included neonates (odds ratio [OR] = 3.6, 95% CI = 1.8-7.5, P = .0002), African Americans (OR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.4-4.9, P = .0307), longer ECMO duration (OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 1.05-1.11, P < .0001, per 10 hours), central cannulation at initial run (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.1-2.8, P = .0285), renal failure (OR = 3.0, 95% CI = 1.9-4.6, P < .0001), and neurological complications (OR = 3.8, 95% CI = 2.2-6.8, P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

In selected children with cardiac pathology, multiple back-to-back ECMO and/or ECPR runs are associated with 37% hospital survival. Although registry data limit the ability to clearly determine selection criteria for repeat ECMO, our findings suggest that in properly selected patients, repeat ECMO support is not futile. Ongoing assessment of support adequacy, end-organ function, and cardiopulmonary recovery is necessary as longer support and emerging complications are associated with poor survival.

Preliminary testing and evaluation of the renata minima stent, an infant stent capable of achieving adult dimensions

Objectives

This study sought to obtain in vivo data on a new stent and delivery system specifically designed for implantation in infants with the ability to be enlarged to adult dimensions.

Background

There are no endovascular stents designed for or approved for use in infants, nor is there a stent capable of being implanted at infant vessel diameters and achieving adult size while maintaining structural integrity. The Minima stent was designed to address these needs.

Methods

This study was performed in 6 piglets who underwent implantation of 22 Minima stents into the following locations: aorta (n = 11), branch pulmonary arteries (n = 6), and central veins (n = 5).

Results

Successful deployment occurred in 21/22 attempts. Two instances of post‐deployment migration occurred. Stents were re‐expanded at 1, 2, 3 and 5 months after implant. All stents regardless of location could be re‐dilated to the intended diameter to keep pace with somatic growth (implant diameter 6.9 +/− 1.2 mm; final diameter 16.1 mm +/− 1.4 mm). Histopathology at 1 and 5 months demonstrated widely patent vessel lumens with stent apposition to vessel wall, early mild inflammatory response surrounding stent struts, typical vascular damage and healing response to acute dilation and a progressive smooth neointimal growth covering stent struts over time.

Conclusions

In this in vivo study of the Minima stent, there was high implant success, predictable re‐dilatability to adult diameters and favorable histopathology. Further study is warranted.

Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO): Guidelines for Pediatric Cardiac Failure

These guidelines are applicable to neonates and children with cardiac failure as indication for extracorporeal life support. These guidelines address patient selection, management during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and pathways for weaning support or bridging to other therapies. Equally important issues, such as personnel, training, credentialing, resources, follow-up, reporting, and quality assurance, are addressed in other Extracorporeal Life Support Organization documents or are center-specific.

Use of ECMO for Cardiogenic Shock in Pediatric Population

In children with severe advanced heart failure where medical management has failed, mechanical circulatory support in the form of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) or ventricular assist device represents life-sustaining therapy. This review provides an overview of VA ECMO used for cardiovascular support including medical and surgical heart disease. Indications, contraindications, and outcomes of VA ECMO in the pediatric population are discussed.VA ECMO provides biventricular and respiratory support and can be deployed in rapid fashion to rescue patient with failing physiology. There have been advances in conduct and technologic aspects of VA ECMO, but survival outcomes have not improved. Stringent selection and optimal timing of deployment are critical to improve mortality and morbidity of the patients supported with VA ECMO.

Factors Associated With Survival Following Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Children

OBJECTIVES

We examined a large single-institution experience in extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) in children having cardiac arrest refractory to conventional resuscitation measures with focus on factors affecting survival.

METHODS

Between 2002 and 2017, 184 children underwent ECPR at our institution. We entered demographic, anatomic, clinical, surgical, and ECPR support details into a multivariable logistic regression models to determine factors associated with mortality.

RESULTS

Median age was 54 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 11-272). In all, 157 (85%) patients had primary cardiac disease, including 136 (74%) with congenital heart disease (71 with single ventricle). Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation occurred following cardiac surgery in 124 (67%) patients. Median cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) duration was 27 minutes (IQR: 18-40) and median support duration was 3.0 days (IQR: 1.6-5.3). Overall, ECPR was weaned in 115 (63%), with 79 (43%) surviving to hospital discharge. Survival for patients with congenital heart disease, noncongenital cardiac, and noncardiac pathologies was 44%, 71%, and 15%, respectively. On multivariable regression analysis, risk factors associated with mortality were presupport pH <7.1 (odds ratio [OR] = 3.7, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.11-12.41, P = .033), mechanical complications (OR = 8.33, 95% CI: 1.91-36.25, P = .005), neurologic complications (OR = 6.27, 95% CI: 1.40-28.10, P = .017), and renal replacement therapy (OR = 3.31, 95% CI: 1.03-10.66, P = .045).

CONCLUSIONS

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation plays a valuable role salvaging children with refractory cardiac arrest. Survival varies with underlying pathology and can be expected even with relatively longer CPR durations. Efforts to improve systemic output before and after institution of ECPR might mitigate some of the significant risk factors for mortality.

Cardiac catheterization addressing early post-operative complications in congenital heart surgery-a single-center experience

BACKGROUND

Cardiac catheterization after congenital heart surgery may play an important role in the diagnosis and management of patients with a complicated or unusual post-operative course. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and outcome of cardiac catheterization performed in the early post-operative period following congenital heart surgery. All patients who underwent cardiac catheterization after congenital heart surgery during the same admission of cardiac surgery from November 2015 to May 2018 were included in the study.

RESULTS

Thirty procedures were performed for 27 patients (20 interventional and 10 diagnostic). The median age of the patients was 15 months (15 days to 20 years), median weight was 8.2 kg (3.4 to 53 kg), and median time from surgery was 3 days (0-32 days). Eleven procedures were performed for 11 patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. The main indications for catheterization included the inability to wean from ECMO (10 procedures) and cyanosis (10 procedures). Interventional procedures included angioplasty using stents (10 procedures, success rate of 90%), angioplasty using only balloons (2 procedures, success rate of 50%), and occlusion for residual shunts (8 procedures, success rate of 100%). No mortality was recorded during any procedure. Vasoactive-inotropic score had significantly decreased 48 h after catheterization when compared to pre-catheterization scores (p = 0.0001). Moreover, 72% of patients connected to ECMO support were successfully weaned from ECMO after catheterization. Procedural complications were recorded in 3 interventional procedures. Survival to hospital discharge was 55.5% and overall survival was 52%. Patients on ECMO support had a higher mortality than other patients.

CONCLUSION

Cardiac catheterization can be performed safely in the early post-operative period, and it could improve the outcome of the patient (depending on the complexity of the cardiac lesions involved).

Cardiac catheterization procedures in pediatric patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cardiac catheterization, ECMO

Objective:

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a lifesaving intervention for pediatric patients with respiratory and/or cardiovascular failure. In this study, we evaluated the cardiac catheterization results of pediatric patients on ECMO support.

Methods:

Between January 2012 and October 2016, 98 patients (5.2% of all surgery patients) needed ECMO support during perioperative cardiac surgery. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 16 patients who underwent cardiac catheterization under ECMO support.

Results:

The median age at catheterization was 6.5 months (range, 3.3–60 months), and the median weight was 6.0 kg (range, 3.7–16 kg). Eight of the catheterizations were diagnostic, and the remaining eight were interventional. Five out of these eight patients underwent surgical palliation after diagnostic catheterization. Right pulmonary artery (RPA) stenting, right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) stenting, combined left pulmonary artery (LPA) and RVOT stenting, combined LPA and modified Blalock-Taussig shunt stenting, bilateral pulmonary artery balloon angioplasty, and bilateral pulmonary artery stenting were each performed once, whereas LPA stenting was performed in two different patients. In one patient undergoing RVOT stenting, a complete atrioventricular block developed, resulting in hypotension; however, this was overcome with an ECMO flow increase. In another patient, the ECMO tubing disconnected from the arterial line. Minor vascular complications were seen in three patients. Twelve patients (75%) were successfully weaned from ECMO after the procedure and ten (63%) were discharged.

Conclusion:

Diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterization can be safely and effectively performed in patients on ECMO. If the patient cannot be weaned from ECMO support, clinicians should consider performing an early angiogram either to treat or clarify the underlying problem.

Neonatal Cardiac ECMO in 2019 and Beyond

Worldwide, the use of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) for cardiac failure has been steadily increasing in the neonatal population and has become a widely accepted modality. Especially in centers caring for children with (congenital) heart disease, ECMO is now an essential part of care available for those with severe heart failure as a bridge to recovery, long term mechanical support, or transplantation. Short-term outcomes depend very much on indication. Hospital survival is ~40% for all neonatal cardiac ECMO patients combined. ECMO is being used for pre- and/or post-operative stabilization in neonates with congenital heart disease and in neonates with medical heart disease such as myocarditis, cardiomyopathy or refractory arrhythmias. ECMO use during resuscitation (ECPR) or for sepsis is summarized elsewhere in this special edition of Frontiers in Pediatrics. In this review article, we will discuss the indications for neonatal cardiac ECMO, the difficult process of patients' selection and identifying the right timing to initiate ECMO, as well as outline pros and cons for peripheral vs. central cannulation. We will present predictors of mortality and, very importantly, predictors of survival: what can be done to improve the outcomes for your patients. Furthermore, an overview of current insights regarding supportive care in neonatal cardiac ECMO is given. Additionally, we will address issues specific to neonates with single ventricle physiology on ECMO, for example cannulation strategies and the influence of shunt type (Blalock-Taussig shunt vs. "right ventricle to pulmonary artery" shunt). We will not only focus on short term outcomes, such as hospital survival, but also on the importance of long-term neuro-developmental outcomes, and we will end this review with suggestions for future research.

Predictors and outcomes of early post-operative veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation following infant cardiac surgery

Background

We aimed to determine predictors of, and outcomes after, veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation instituted within 48 h after cardiac surgery (early ECMO) in young infants.

Methods

Patients ≤ 6 weeks old having cardiac surgery from 2003 to 2012 were enrolled prospectively. Patients cannulated pre-operatively, intra-operatively, or ≥ 48 h post-operatively were excluded. Variables at p ≤ 0.1 on univariate regression were entered into multiple logistic regression to predict early ECMO. Early-ECMO cases were matched 1:2 for six demographic variables, and death by age 2 years old (determined using conditional logistic regression; presented as odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI)) and General Adaptive Composite scores at age 2 years (determined using Wilcoxon rank sum) were compared; p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Of 565 eligible patients over the 10-year period, 20 had early ECMO instituted at a mean (standard deviation) of 12.4 (11.4) h post-operatively, 10 of whom had extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Of early-ECMO patients, 8 (40%) were found to have residual anatomic defects requiring intervention with catheterization (n = 1) and/or surgery (n = 7). On multiple regression, the post-operative day 1 highest vasoactive-inotrope score (OR 1.02; 95%CI 1.06,1.08; p < 0.001), highest lactate (OR 1.2; 95%CI 1.06,1.35; p = 0.003), and lowest base deficit (OR 0.82; 95%CI 0.71,0.94; p = 0.004), CPB time (OR 1.01; 95%CI 1.00,1.02; p = 0.002), and single-ventricle anatomy (OR 5.35; 95%CI 1.66,17.31; p = 0.005) were associated with early ECMO. Outcomes at 2 years old compared between early-ECMO and matched patients were mortality 11/20 (55%) vs 11/40 (28%) (OR 3.22, 95%CI 0.98,10.63; p = 0.054) and General Adaptive Composite median 65 [interquartile range (IQR) 58, 81.5] in 9 survivors vs 93 [IQR 86.5, 102.5] in 29 survivors (p = 0.02).

Conclusions

The identified risk factors for, and outcomes after, having early ECMO may aid decision making in the acute period and confirm that neurodevelopmental follow-up for these children is necessary. The hypothesis that earlier institution of ECMO may improve long-term outcomes requires further study.

Factors Associated with the Need for, and the Impact of, Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Children with Congenital Heart Disease during Admissions for Cardiac Surgery

Introduction: This study aimed to determine factors associated with the need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) during admission for cardiac surgery (CS). A secondary aim was to determine how ECMO impacted length, cost, and mortality of the admission. Methods: Data from the Kids’ Inpatient Database (KIDS) were utilized. Admissions with CHD under 18 years of age with cardiac surgery were included. Need for ECMO in these admissions was then identified. Univariate analysis was conducted to compare characteristics between admissions with and without ECMO. Regression analyses were conducted to determine what factors were independently associated with ECMO and whether ECMO independently impacted admission characteristics. Results: A total of 46,176 admissions with CHD and CS were included in the final analysis. Of these, 798 (1.7%) required ECMO. Median age of ECMO admissions was 0.5 years. The following were associated with ECMO: decreased age, heart failure, acute kidney injury, arrhythmia, double outlet right ventricle, atrioventricular septal defect, transposition, Ebstein anomaly, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, common arterial trunk, tetralogy of Fallot, coronary anomaly, valvuloplasty, repair of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection, arterial switch, RV to PA conduit placement, and heart transplant (p < 0.01). ECMO independently increased length of stay by 17.8 days, cost of stay by approximately $415,917, and inpatient mortality 22-fold. Conclusion: Only a small proportion of CHD patients undergoing CS require ECMO, although these patients require increased resource utilization and have high mortality. Specific cardiac lesions, cardiac surgeries, and comorbidities are associated with increased need for ECMO.

Early Cardiac Catheterization Leads to Shortened Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Run Duration

OBJECTIVE

Cardiac catheterization in patients receiving extracorporeal life support (ECLS) has previously been shown to be safe and, in many cases, therapeutic. However, the influence of cardiac catheterization on clinical outcomes in this patient population has not been clearly defined.

METHODS

A single institution, retrospective review of all pediatric cardiac ECLS patients who underwent cardiac catheterization between January 2006 and September 2015 was performed.

RESULTS

Eighty-two interventional cardiac catheterization procedures were performed on 74 patients. Catheterization findings directly led to catheterization-based or surgical intervention in 54 (73%) patients. One (1.2%) catheterization-related complication occurred (pulmonary artery rupture), which ultimately resulted in death. Patients who underwent early catheterization (≤72 hours of ECLS initiation) required shorter total duration of ECLS than patients who underwent catheterization >72 hours after ECLS initiation (136 hours vs. 227 hours, P < 0.01). The groups experienced similar rates of interventions based on catheterization findings (72% early cath vs. 74% late cath, P = 0.81). Survival to hospital discharge was higher in the early catheterization group (74% vs. 51%, P = 0.04). In multivariate models adjusting for covariates, early catheterization was associated with a reduction in ECLS duration by approximately 150 hours (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiac catheterization is safe in pediatric ECLS patients and an earlier catheterization is associated with shorter duration of ECLS and improved hospital survival. Diagnostic cardiac catheterization should be considered in patients who remain dependent on ECLS after several days of support.

Percutaneous balloon atrial septostomy on top of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation results in safe and effective left heart decompression

BACKGROUND

Transcatheter techniques are emerging for left atrial (LA) decompression under venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). We aimed to assess whether balloon atrioseptostomy (BAS) is a safe and efficient strategy.

METHODS

All patients who underwent percutaneous static BAS under VA-ECMO at four tertiary institutions were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

From 2000 to 2014, BAS was performed in 64 patients (32 adults and 32 children). Indications for ECMO support included acute myocarditis (31.3%) and non-myocarditis cardiac disease, mostly end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy (32.8%). BAS was required because of pulmonary oedema/haemorrhage and left ventricular (LV) distension. The mean balloon diameter was 21.8 ± 8.4mm. Adequate LA decompression was achieved in all patients. Mean LA pressure fell from 24.2 ± 6.9 mmHg to 7.8 ± 2.6 mmHg ( p < 0.001). The left-to-right atrial pressure gradient fell from 17.2 ± 7.1 mmHg to 0.09 ± 0.5 mmHg ( p < 0.001). Echocardiography showed an unrestrictive left-to-right atrial shunting in all patients. Improvement of day 1 chest X-ray was observed in 76.6% of patients, clinical status in 98.4% of patients and pulmonary haemorrhage in 14 out of 14 patients. Complications occurred in 9.4% of patients, representing pericardial effusion, fast atrial fibrillation, ventricular fibrillation requiring defibrillation, transient complete heart block and femoral venous dissection requiring covered stent placement. In the 37 (57.8%) patients who were successfully decannulated, the median ECMO duration was 9 (range: 4-24) days. After a median follow-up of 12.3 (range: 0.1-142) months, 35.9% patients died, 17.2% received a LV assist device as a bridge to transplantation, 31.2% were transplanted and 56.2% were home discharged and alive.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous BAS may be a safe and efficient strategy for discharging the LA in both adults and children supported by VA-ECMO.

Impacts of early cardiac catheterization for children with congenital heart disease supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

BACKGROUND

Cardiac catheterization is often required for patients on extracorporeal membranous oxygenation (ECMO) support, though its efficacy remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the impact of catheterization on successful ECMO weaning.

METHODS

This is a single-center retrospective study from 2000 to 2014. Patients with congenital heart disease who underwent cardiac catheterization while on cardiac ECMO support were included. Logistic regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with log-rank test were performed to determine predictors for successful weaning and patient outcome.

RESULTS

Forty-nine catheterizations in 47 patients with the median age of 65 days (range: 1 day-12 years) and the median body weight of 4.2 kg (range: 1.9-32.7 kg) were included. Median duration between ECMO cannulation and catheterization was 1 day (range: 0-11 days). Thirty-three patients (70%) succeeded in decannulation and 24 patients (51%) survived to hospital discharge. Absence of renal (P = 0.045) and respiratory complications (P = 0.031) were significant prognostic factors for successful weaning in multivariate analysis. Patients who received catheterization within 48 hr after ECMO cannulation demonstrated less respiratory complications (P = 0.006) and better survival at 30 days after ECMO initiation (P = 0.039) than those who underwent later catheterization. There was no mortality; however, nine major catheterization-related complications (18%) were detected.

CONCLUSION

Catheterization for pediatric patients on ECMO support can be performed, although this group contained high risk of serious adverse events. The absence of ECMO complications is a predictor for successful weaning. An earlier catheterization appears to be associated with better short-term survival in this cohort. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.