Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for the support of pediatric patients with acute fulminant myocarditis

Acute fulminant myocarditis, is a severe, rapidly progressive disease. The clinical outcomes of children with severe acute myocarditis who are resist to medical treatment is not well known. We studied the clinical courses of patients with acute fulminant myocarditis supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). We performed a retrospective chart review of six children with acute fulminant myocarditis who were treated with ECMO. Demographic information, clinical and vital signs, as well as laboratory results were investigated. The median age of 63 months (13-140 months), the mean ECMO duration was 164 hours (79-402 hours), and median intensive care unit stay was 24 days. The most common symptoms were chest pain (66%) and fever (66%). Severe arrhythmia were seen in two patients. One patient received extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation. In two patients, right femoral arteries and right femoral veins were used, in others, right common carotid artery and right internal jugular veins were used. Five patients (83.3 %) survived to discharge. ECMO can be used effectively in pediatric patients with acute fulminant myocarditis to support the circulation while awaiting myocardial recovery. Timely use of ECMO can improve the survival rate and may be associated with better outcomes.