Minimally invasive mechanical cardiac support without extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in children awaiting heart transplantation.

Abstract Background . Mechanical cardiac assist for small children ( Methods . Two cases are used to illustrate two methods of avoiding sternotomy during mechanical assist in children with dilated cardiomyopathy. One of these approaches avoids the need for extracorporeal oxygenation. Results . Decompression of the left-sided chambers with a left atrial cannula decreased pulmonary edema and improved pulmonary function. Conclusions . Pediatric patients with dilated cardiomyopathy may benefit from a left ventricular assist technique using a centrifugal pump, which avoids the neck vessels and sternotomy, as well as ECMO.