Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support in Children With Hematologic Malignancies in Sweden
Susanna Ranta, Håkan Kalzén, Anna Nilsson, Katarina von Schewelov, Lars Mikael Broman, Jonas Berner, Urban Fläring, Ulrika Norén‐Nyström, Johan E. Svahn, Josefine Palle, Lisa Törnudd, Lene Karlsson, Karin Mellgren, Jonas Abrahamsson, Arja Harila‐Saari
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used in severe respiratory and/or circulatory failure when conventional critical care fails. Studies on patients with hematologic malignancies on ECMO have shown contradictory results; immunosuppression and coagulopathy are relative contraindications to ECMO. OBSERVATIONS: This nationwide Swedish retrospective chart review identified 958 children with hematologic malignancies of whom 12 (1.3%) required ECMO support. Eight patients survived ECMO, 7 the total intensive care period, and 6 survived the underlying malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: ECMO may be considered in children with hematologic malignancy. Short-term and long-term survival, in this limited group, was similar to that of children on ECMO at large.