Successful extracorporeal life support in a pediatric trauma patient following angioembolization of pelvic hemorrhage

Abstract Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS) is rarely used in pediatric trauma patients due to bleeding risk, and the use of ECLS following angioembolization of traumatic hemorrhage has never been reported in a child. We report a case of a 10-year-old boy run over by a parade float resulting in severe thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic trauma, with hemorrhage from pelvic fractures requiring massive transfusion. Due to ongoing blood product requirements and contrast extravasation near the symphysis pubis, angioembolization of the internal iliac arteries was performed. Extreme hypoxemia persisted despite maximal ventilator support due to pulmonary contusions and aspiration pneumonitis. Six hours after angioembolization, venovenous ECLS was initiated. Following an initial heparin bolus, ECLS was run without anticoagulation for twelve hours, but development of circuit clot required resumption of low-dose heparin. After four days, his respiratory status improved substantially and ECLS was discontinued. There were no hemorrhagic complications. The patient was discharged home in good health following inpatient rehabilitation. In this case, ECLS was successfully used in the treatment of post-traumatic respiratory failure six hours following angioembolization of pelvic hemorrhage in a pediatric trauma patient. Further research is needed to determine the safest interval between hemorrhage control and ECLS in severely injured children.