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Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Peripheral Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Without Left Ventricular Venting
03:40

Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Peripheral Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Without Left Ventricular Venting

Published on: January 17, 2025

Clinical Characteristics of Pediatric Myocarditis Stratified by Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction and Factors

Lingzhu Huang1, Jingbo Jiang2, Ying Qi1

  • 1Department of Emergency Medicine, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, China.

Clinical Pediatrics
|August 21, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric myocarditis with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) indicates higher risk for organ dysfunction and need for advanced life support. Early recognition of these high-risk pediatric patients is crucial for timely intervention.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Cardiovascular Research

Background:

  • Pediatric myocarditis exhibits diverse clinical presentations, potentially leading to severe cardiac dysfunction.
  • Advanced life support may be necessary for children with myocarditis and critical cardiac dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze clinical manifestations and outcomes in pediatric myocarditis patients.
  • To identify factors associated with the need for advanced life support, specifically extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study of 78 children with suspected myocarditis (January 2021 - December 2024).
  • Stratification based on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and analysis of ECMO use.
  • Correlation of clinical variables with ECMO support and patient outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Children with LVEF <50% showed increased gastrointestinal symptoms, shock, arrhythmias, organ dysfunction, and higher rates of PICU admission and ECMO.
  • Factors associated with ECMO support included LVEF <50%, arrhythmia, younger age, hypoalbuminemia, elevated lactate, and myocardial injury biomarkers.
  • Reduced LVEF correlated with greater organ dysfunction and need for advanced life support.

Conclusions:

  • Reduced LVEF in pediatric myocarditis is a significant indicator of higher risk for organ dysfunction and requirement for advanced life support.
  • ECMO support in these patients is linked to myocardial injury markers and systemic hypoperfusion.
  • Findings aid in early identification of high-risk pediatric myocarditis patients for prompt escalation of life-support therapies.

Keywords:
childrenclinical characteristicsextracorporeal membrane oxygenationleft ventricular ejection fractionmyocarditis

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