Single-Center Experience Using the Cardiohelp System for Neonatal and Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Area of Science:

• Pediatric critical care medicine
• Cardiopulmonary support technologies
• Neonatal and pediatric intensive care

Background:

• Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) systems are advancing with smaller, portable devices.
• The Cardiohelp system is a compact ECMO device widely used in adults but less reported in pediatric settings.
• Limited data exists on the application of portable ECMO in neonatal and pediatric intensive care units (ICUs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the institutional experience with the Cardiohelp portable ECMO system in neonatal and pediatric patients.
• To assess the feasibility and initial outcomes of using Cardiohelp in a pediatric tertiary-care setting.
• To report on patient characteristics, management, and outcomes during ECMO support with Cardiohelp.

Main Methods:

• A single-center retrospective review was conducted.
• The study included seventeen pediatric patients requiring ECMO support.
• Data collected included patient demographics, ECMO configuration, duration, anticoagulation management, and clinical outcomes.

Main Results:

• Seventeen pediatric patients (median age 0.5 years) received ECMO via Cardiohelp.
• The median duration of Cardiohelp support was 113 hours.
• Fourteen patients survived ECMO, and 13 were discharged, with only three requiring circuit changes.

Conclusions:

• The Cardiohelp system was safely utilized to support 17 neonatal and pediatric patients on ECMO without reported complications.
• This study highlights the potential of portable ECMO devices in pediatric critical care.
• Further research is recommended to compare outcomes, complications, and costs with other ECMO systems.