AUTHOR=Chrysostomou Constantinos , Maul Timothy , Morell Victor O., Callahan Patrick M., Nguyen Khoa , Lichtenstein Steven , Coate Emma G., Wearden Peter
TITLE=Neurodevelopmental Outcomes after Pediatric Cardiac ECMO Support
JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pediatrics
VOLUME=1
YEAR=2013
URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pediatrics/articles/10.3389/fped.2013.00047
DOI=10.3389/fped.2013.00047
ISSN=2296-2360
ABSTRACT=Purpose: To characterize the neurodevelopmental outcomes and identify factors associated with poor outcomes in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).
Methods: Five year retrospective review, including demographics, cardiac lesion, and surgical complexity, reason for ECMO, ECMO complications, and neurodevelopmental status at discharge and latest follow-up. Neurodevelopmental status was determined through the Pediatric Overall Performance Category and Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category Scales.
Results: Overall ECMO survival was 73% at hospital discharge and 66% a t the latest follow-up. Most patients underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) (43%), and the majority (53%) had a significant disease complexity (Aristotle = 4). Complications occurred in 42% of the ECMO runs, of which 12% were intracranial injuries. At hospital discharge, 75% of patients had normal to mild disability, improving to 81% at 2 years follow-up. At hospital discharge, moderate to severe disability was associated with CPR, plasma exchange or intracranial insults. After discharge, 23% showed improvement in neurologic status and 4% showed deterioration. Cerebral infarction was the only parameter associated with deterioration at the later follow-up stage.
Conclusion: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was successfully used in children with cardiac disease with 73 and 66% short and long-term survival respectively. Majority of the survivors had normal to mild neurodevelopmental disability and a significant portion showed neurologic improvement by the latest follow-up. Nevertheless, despite the grossly favorable outcomes standardized comprehensive neuropsychological testing is of paramount importance in all these patients.