Temporary biventricular support as a bridge to recovery: A justifiable strategy for small children with fulminant myocarditis

Abstract

Short-term mechanical circulatory support can be life-saving in the pediatric population with acute cardiogenic shock (ACS). However, recovery from MCS is a rare entity. MCS options are limited for low-body-weight children in Turkey. Over the last decade, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been the primary bridging modality for children with end-stage heart failure in our country. However, VA-ECMO may cause increased wall stress and oxygen demand, which may alter myocardial recovery. Here, we describe using a Levitronix CentriMag Systems for biventricular support as a bridge to recovery in a 16-month-old boy (weight, 11 kg; BSA, 0.5 m2) with type A influenza related-fulminant myocarditis (FM). Levitronix CentriMag System provides a safe and efficient short-term, biventricular, paracorporeal support for infants, and small children with ACS.