[Temporary mechanical cardiocirculatory assistance in an adolescent suffering from subacute cardiac failure]

A case is reported of subacute carciac failure during the course of a non-obstructive cardiomypathy in an adolescent. When the exacerbation of cardiac failure, which was accompanied by severe arrhythmias, failed to respond to medical treatment, the combination of a veno-arterial bypass and membrane oxygenator with diastolic counter-pressure from an intra-aortic balloon was tried with success. A reasonable remission was obtained by this means, but the young patient died 8 months later from cardiac failure which proved resistant to treatment.