Current devices for pediatric extracorporeal life support and mechanical circulatory support systems in the United States

Abstract

Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) and mechanical circulatory support (MCS) have become indispensable treatment tools for pediatric patients with congenital heart defects undergoing peri-operative or end-stage heart and/or lung failure. ECLS and MCS can serve as bridges to recovery, transplantation (heart or lung), destination therapy, or “bridge to bridge” long-term MCS. Dependent on patient condition, venoarterial ECMO (V-A ECMO) for heart and lung support, venovenous ECMO (V-V ECMO) for respiratory support, and MCS for uni- and biventricular support can be selected properly. Considering small patient body size, the access sites and cannulation should be selected carefully to obtain adequate blood flow, minimum injury, and easy management. The applying equipment, including tubing, cannulae, oxygenator and blood pump, need to be selected optimally in order to enable rapid setup and priming, successful cannulation and early support, and to reduce the risk of device-related morbidity and mortality. The aim of this review manuscript was to discuss briefly the current devices for pediatric ECLS and MCS available in US.