Anesthesia for Placement of a Paracorporeal Lung Assist Device and Subsequent Heart-Lung Transplantation in a Child with Suprasystemic Pulmonary Hypertension and End-Stage Respiratory Failure

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and paracorporeal lung assist devices as a bridge to pediatric lung transplantation

BACKGROUND

"Bridging" is a term used to describe the implementation of various treatment modalities to improve waitlist survival while a patient awaits lung transplantation. ECMO and PLAD are technologies used to bridge patients to lung transplantation. ECMO and PLAD are cardiopulmonary support systems that help move blood forward while using an artificial membrane to remove CO₂ from and add O₂ to the blood. Recent studies showed that these technologies are increasingly effective in bridging patients to lung transplantation, especially with optimizing patient selection, implementing physical rehabilitation and ambulation goals, standardization of management decisions, and increasing staff experience, among other considerations. We review these technologies, their roles as bridges to pediatric lung transplantation, as well as indications, contraindications, complications, and mortality rates.

CONCLUSION

Finally, we discuss the existing knowledge gaps and areas for future research to improve patient outcomes and understanding of lung assist devices.