Cardiac CT for paediatric patients on veno-arterial extracorporeal membranous oxygenator: learning points from a...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Cardiology
• Medical Imaging
• Cardiovascular Surgery

Background:

• Cross-sectional imaging in pediatric patients requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) presents significant logistical and technical challenges.
• Cardiac computed tomography (CT) offers potential value in addressing critical clinical questions in this complex patient population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the establishment and success of a clinical workflow for performing cardiac CT in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) who are on ECMO.
• To highlight the feasibility and utility of cardiac CT in this previously underexplored patient group.

Main Methods:

• Development and implementation of a specialized clinical workflow tailored for pediatric CHD patients on ECMO.
• Detailed description of the logistical and technical considerations for cardiac CT acquisition in this setting.

Main Results:

• Successful establishment of a clinical workflow enabling cardiac CT in children with CHD on ECMO.
• Demonstration of the clinical value and feasibility of cardiac CT for answering key questions in these patients.

Conclusions:

• Cardiac CT is a valuable tool for children with CHD on ECMO when a tailored workflow is implemented.
• This approach facilitates crucial diagnostic and management decisions in a challenging patient cohort.