JCM, Vol. 13, Pages 2168: Lessons from the Pandemic: Role of Percutaneous ECMO and Balloon Atrial Septostomy in Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in Children

JCM, Vol. 13, Pages 2168: Lessons from the Pandemic: Role of Percutaneous ECMO and Balloon Atrial Septostomy in Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in Children

Journal of Clinical Medicine doi: 10.3390/jcm13082168

Authors: Ranjit R. Philip Claire Sentilles Jason N. Johnson Anthony Merlocco Karthik Ramakrishnan Kaitlin A. Ryan Umar Boston Shyam Sathanandam

Multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) in the setting of COVID-19 can be associated with severe cardiopulmonary dysfunction. This clinical deterioration may sometimes necessitate veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) support. We describe an algorithmic approach including the role of balloon atrial septostomy in this cohort. This is the first reported series of percutaneous VA-ECMO in pediatric patients with MIS-C for better outcomes. The lessons from this approach can be replicated in other pediatric clinical conditions and adds to the armament of multiple pediatric specialties.