Expanding the Availability of Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

A healthy 14-year-old presented to an emergency department in Alaska, complaining of shortness of breath, chest pain, and 72 hours of malaise and headache. On admission, her blood pressure was 80/50 mm Hg, and she had cool extremities. Electrocardiography revealed wide-complex ventricular tachycardia. She underwent synchronized electrical cardioversion. Although she initially converted to sinus rhythm, she subsequently became pulseless, with electrocardiographic evidence of ventricular tachycardia. Despite cardiopulmonary resuscitation, she failed to achieve a perfusing rhythm. Cardiovascular surgery consultation was obtained, and she was placed on partial cardiopulmonary bypass during 2 hours of ongoing chest compressions. Cardiopulmonary bypass flow was limited by the small size of her femoral arteries. She remained in refractory ventricular tachycardia. The cardiopulmonary bypass circuit was modified for transportation of the patient via air ambulance 1500 miles to a tertiary medical center that specializes in pediatric heart failure and mechanical cardiopulmonary support. Upon arrival at the tertiary medical center, she underwent carotid artery cannulation to improve total cardiopulmonary support and percutaneous balloon atrial septostomy to facilitate left ventricular decompression. Intravenous immunoglobulin and steroids were administered to treat presumed acute fulminant viral myocarditis. Extracorporeal life support was successfully discontinued after 14 days, but she experienced a thromboembolic stroke. The patient was discharged on hospital day 65 with moderate generalized left-sided weakness, but she was able to ambulate with minimal assistance. She subsequently returned to school and is progressing appropriately with her peers. Cardiac function has normalized, and she remains in normal sinus rhythm.