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Transport of critically ill children on cardiopulmonary support assistance
Maher K Eldadah1, Monica C Olsen, Harun Fakioglu
1Congenital Heart Institute at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, Orlando, Florida 32806, USA.
Insights
Two pediatric patients with sudden cardiac deterioration underwent helicopter transport on cardiopulmonary support (CPS) for heart transplantation. This highlights the need for rapid inter-hospital transport protocols for critical cardiac care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Transport Medicine
Background:
- Sudden cardiac deterioration can necessitate urgent heart transplantation.
- Early referral to transplant centers may not always be feasible due to acute events.
Observation:
- Two pediatric patients (9 kg and 22 kg) experienced critical cardiac decline.
- Mechanical cardiopulmonary support (CPS) was initiated to stabilize failing cardiac function.
Findings:
- Successful helicopter transport on CPS was achieved for both patients to a transplant institution.
- Heart transplantation was identified as the most viable recovery option.
Implications:
- Heart centers must establish robust protocols for inter-hospital transport using cardiopulmonary support (CPS).
- Transport strategies can involve the referring, receiving, or a third-party institution.
- Timely and effective transport is crucial for pediatric patients requiring emergent heart transplantation.
Objective:
To report two patients helicopter transport on mechanical cardiopulmonary support to a transplant center.
Setting:
Cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) and transport helicopter.
Patients:
A 9 kg and 22 kg children who suffer cardiac deterioration needing air transport on mechanical cardiopulmonary support.
Interventions And Results:
CPS was initiated to support these patients failing cardiac function. Transport on CPS of these two patients to a transplant institution was accomplished after determining that heart transplantation would be their more likely chance for recovery.
Conclusion:
A cardiac deterioration event that will lead to the need for heart transplantation can be acute and sudden sparing no time for early referral to a transplant center. It is necessary for heart centers to have a plan of action to provide inter-hospital transport on cardiopulmonary support (CPS). This protocol can involve transport by the referral institution, the receiving institution or a third institution.
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