Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Patients on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Outcomes in a Multicenter, Retrospective Cohort 2009-2021.

OBJECTIVE: To describe characteristics associated with survival for pediatric patients with an oncologic diagnosis or hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). DESIGN: Multicenter, retrospective study. SETTING: Sixteen PICUs in the United States and Israel. PATIENTS: We included patients aged younger than 19 years with an oncologic diagnosis or HCT who required ECMO support between 2009 and 2021. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 149 patients were included in the study cohort. There were 118 patients with an oncologic diagnosis and 31 that received HCT. The indications for ECMO were respiratory failure (46%), combined respiratory and cardiac failure (28%), and cardiac failure (25%). Venovenous (V-V) ECMO was used in 45% of patients, with 53% of patients being placed on venoarterial (V-A) ECMO. For oncologic and HCT groups, survival to ECMO decannulation was 52% (62/118) and 64% (20/31), and survival to hospital discharge was 36% (43/118) and 42% (13/31), respectively. After adjusting for other factors, requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation was associated with greater odds ratio of mortality (3.0 [95% CI, 1.2-7.7]). CONCLUSIONS: Survival to ECMO decannulation of pediatric oncologic and HCT patients in this study was 52-64%, depending upon diagnosis. However, survival to hospital discharge remains poor. Future research should prioritize understanding factors contributing to this survival gap within these patient populations.

Clinical Outcomes After Tracheostomy in Children With Single Ventricle Physiology: Collaborative Research From the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society Multicenter Cohort, 2010-2021.

OBJECTIVES: Multicenter studies reporting outcomes following tracheostomy in children with congenital heart disease are limited, particularly in patients with single ventricle physiology. We aimed to describe clinical characteristics and outcomes in a multicenter cohort of patients with single ventricle physiology who underwent tracheostomy before Fontan operation. DESIGN: Multicenter retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Twenty-one tertiary care pediatric institutions participating in the Collaborative Research from the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society. PATIENTS: We reviewed 99 children with single ventricle physiology who underwent tracheostomy before the Fontan operation at 21 institutions participating in Collaborative Research from the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society between January 2010 and December 2020, with follow-up through December 31, 2021. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Death occurred in 51 of 99 patients (52%). Cox proportional hazard analysis was performed to determine factors associated with death after tracheostomy. Results are presented as hazard ratio (HR) with 95% CIs. Nonrespiratory indication(s) for tracheostomy (HR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.14-4.32) and number of weeks receiving mechanical ventilation before tracheostomy (HR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.02-1.11) were independently associated with greater hazard of death. In contrast, diagnosis of tricuspid atresia or Ebstein's anomaly was associated with less hazard of death (HR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.04-0.69). Favorable outcome, defined as survival to Fontan operation or decannulation while awaiting Fontan operation with viable cardiopulmonary physiology, occurred in 29 of 99 patients (29%). Median duration of mechanical ventilation before tracheostomy was shorter in patients who survived to favorable outcome (6.1 vs. 12.1 wk; p < 0.001), and only one of 16 patients with neurologic indications for tracheostomy and 0 of ten patients with cardiac indications for tracheostomy survived to favorable outcome. CONCLUSIONS: For children with single ventricle physiology who undergo tracheostomy, mortality risk is high and should be carefully considered when discussing tracheostomy as an option for these children. Favorable outcomes are possible, although thoughtful attention to patient selection and tracheostomy timing are likely necessary to achieve this goal.

"Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation outcomes in multisystem inflammatory syndrome of childhood - An extracorporeal life support organization registry study".

Multisystem inflammatory disease in childhood (MIS-C) is a novel pediatric syndrome after a COVID-19 infection that causes systemic injury, with potential life-threatening hemodynamic compromise requiring Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) support. We performed an observational retrospective cohort study in children aged 0-18 years with MIS-C and non-MIS-C myocarditis on ECMO between January 2020 and December 2021, using the ELSO Registry database. We aimed to compare the outcomes of both populations and to identify factors for decreased survival in MIS-C patients on ECMO. The Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) Registry reported 310 pediatric ECMO patients with MIS-C (56.1%) and non-MIS-C myocarditis (43.9%). No difference was found in survival to hospital discharge between groups (67.2% for MIS-C vs 69.1% for non-MIS-C myocarditis, p 0.725). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that ECPR and co-infection were significantly associated with decreased survival to hospital discharge in MIS-C patients (OR 0.138, p 0.01 and OR 0.44, p 0.02, respectively). Outcomes of children with MIS-C on ECMO support are similar to those of non-MIS-C myocarditis despite higher infectious, multiorgan dysfunction and respiratory complications accompanying COVID-19 infections. The use of ECMO for MIS-C patients seems to be feasible and safe. Prospective studies on the use of ECMO support in MIS-C patients may improve outcomes in this pediatric population.

Strategies and techniques for percutaneous Veno-Arterial ECMO cannulation and decannulation in children.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the techniques used for percutaneous veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) cannulation and decannulation in children with the pediatric interventional cardiologist (PIC) as the primary operator, and present outcomes of this initial clinical experience. BACKGROUND: Percutaneous VA-ECMO during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has been successfully performed in adults, but currently, not much data exists on children. METHODS: This is a single-center study including VA-ECMO cannulations performed by the PIC between 2019 and 2021. Efficacy was defined as the successful initiation of VA-ECMO without surgical cutdown. Safety was defined as the absence of additional procedures related to cannulation. RESULTS: Twenty-three percutaneous VA-ECMO cannulations were performed by PIC on 20 children with 100% success. Fourteen (61%) were performed during ongoing CPR, and nine for cardiogenic shock. The Median age was 15 (0.15-18) years, and the median weight was 65 (3.3-180) kg. All arterial cannulations were via the femoral artery except in one, 8-week-old infant who was cannulated in the carotid artery. A distal perfusion cannula was placed in the ipsilateral limb in 17 (78%). The median time from initiating cannulation to ECMO flow was 35 (13-112) minutes. Two patients required arterial graft placement at the time of decannulation and one needed below-knee amputation. ECMO support was maintained for a median of 4 (0.3-38) days. Thirty-day survival was 74%. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous VA-ECMO cannulations can be effectively performed, even during CPR with the Pediatric Interventional Cardiologist being the primary operator. This is an initial clinical experience. Future outcome studies compared with standard surgical cannulations are necessary to advocate routine percutaneous VA-ECMO in children.

The Use of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation-Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Prolonged Cardiac Arrest in Pediatric Patients: Is it Time to Expand It?

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was instituted as an aid to in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation (E-CPR) nearly 23 years ago, this led to remarkable improvement in survival considering the mortality rate associated with conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Given this success, one begins to wonder whether the time has come for expanding the use of E-CPR to outside hospital cardiac arrests especially in the light of development of newer extracorporeal life support devices that are small, mobile, and easy to assemble. This editorial will review recent studies on this subject and address some key guidelines and limitations of this evolving and promising technology.

Timing of Kidney Replacement Therapy Initiation and Survival During Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: An Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry Study.

To characterize kidney replacement therapy (KRT) and pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) outcomes and to identify the optimal timing of KRT initiation during ECMO associated with increased survival. Observational retrospective cohort study using the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry database in children (0-18 yo) on ECMO from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2020. Of the 14,318 ECMO runs analyzed, 26% of patients received KRT during ECMO. Patients requiring KRT before ECMO had increased mortality to ECMO decannulation (29% vs. 17%, OR 1.97, P < 0.001) and to hospital discharge (58% vs. 39%, OR 2.16, P < 0.001). Patients requiring KRT during ECMO had an increased mortality to ECMO decannulation (25% vs. 15%, OR 1.85, P < 0.001) and to hospital discharge (56% vs. 34%, OR 2.47, P < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated that the need for KRT during ECMO was an independent predictor for mortality to ECMO decannulation (OR 1.49, P < 0.001) and to hospital discharge (OR 2.02, P < 0.001). Patients initiated on KRT between 24 and 72 hours after cannulation were more likely to survive to ECMO decannulation and showed a trend towards survival to hospital discharge as compared to those initiated before 24 hours and after 72 hours.

Pediatric Highlights From the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry: 2017-2022.

The Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) registry which collects data from hundreds of participating centers supports research in ECMO to help improve patient outcomes. The ELSO Scientific Oversight Committee, an international and diverse group of ECMOlogists ( https://www.elso.org/registry/socmembers.aspx ), selected the most impactful and innovative research articles on pediatric ECMO emerging from ELSO data. Here they present brief highlights of these publications.

Flexible Bronchoscopy in Pediatric Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric patients with ARDS will on occasion need venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) for organ support. As these patients recover, they may benefit from lung recruitment maneuvers including flexible bronchoscopy (FB). The objective of this study was to assess the clinical course of patients who underwent FB while on VV-ECMO for ARDS. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of a retrospective multi-center cohort at 10 United States pediatric academic quaternary care centers. Data were collected on 204 subjects age 14 d-18 y on VV-ECMO. RESULTS: 271 FBs were performed on 129 (63%) subjects. Pre-FB tidal volume was 1.8 mL/kg compared to 2.22 mL/kg following FB (P = .007). Dynamic compliance also improved from pre-FB to post-FB (2.23 vs 3.04 mL/cm H2O, P = .005). There was a low incidence of complications following FB (3.1%). Subjects in the FB group had fewer ECMO-free days (EFDs) (17.9 vs 22.1 d, P < .001), fewer ventilator-free days (VFDs) (40.0 vs 46.5 d, P = .001), and longer ICU length of stay (LOS) (18 vs 32 d, P < .001). Subjects in the early versus late FB group had more EFDs (19.4 vs 15.2 d, P = .003), more VFDs (43.0 vs 34.0 d, P = .004), and shorter ICU LOS (27.5 vs 35.5 d, P = .045). Mortality in the subjects who had at least one FB was 27.1% compared to 40% in the subjects who did not have a FB while on VV-ECMO (P = .057). CONCLUSIONS: FB can be performed on patients while anticoagulated on VV-ECMO with a low incidence of complications. FB may be beneficial especially when performed early in the course of VV-ECMO.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in children receiving haematopoietic cell transplantation and immune effector cell therapy: an international and multidisciplinary consensus statement.

Use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in children receiving haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and immune effector cell therapy is controversial and evidence-based guidelines have not been established. Remarkable advancements in HCT and immune effector cell therapies have changed expectations around reversibility of organ dysfunction and survival for affected patients. Herein, members of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO), Pediatric Acute Lung Injury and Sepsis Investigators (PALISI) Network (HCT and cancer immunotherapy subgroup), the Pediatric Diseases Working Party of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT), the supportive care committee of the Pediatric Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Consortium (PTCTC), and the Pediatric Intensive Care Oncology Kids in Europe Research (POKER) group of the European Society of Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care (ESPNIC) provide consensus recommendations on the use of ECMO in children receiving HCT and immune effector cell therapy. These are the first international, multidisciplinary consensus-based recommendations on the use of ECMO in this patient population. This Review provides a clinical decision support tool for paediatric haematologists, oncologists, and critical care physicians during the difficult decision-making process of ECMO candidacy and management. These recommendations can represent a base for future research studies focused on ECMO selection criteria and bedside management.

Detection of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 in exhaled breath condensate of rats with pneumonia due to staphylococcal enterotoxin B.

Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) may contain mediators of acute lung injury. The objectives were to determine if EBC could be collected in a mechanically ventilated rat, to measure tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the EBC after staphylococcal enterotoxin B administration (SEB) and to find out if the concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 correlated with those in lung lavage. Four hours after SEB instillation, rats were placed on mechanical ventilation and EBC was collected over 90 minutes. Lung lavage was collected and white cell count was determined. TNF-α and IL-6 were measured in the EBC and lavage. EBC was available in a sufficient quantity (250-400 µL) for the measurement of cytokines. The rats that received SEB had an inflammatory response when compared to control rats as shown by an increase in white cell count. TNF-α and IL-6 were detected in the EBC. Concentration of TNF-α correlated with that in the lavage (r = .497, P = .021), whereas IL-6 did not. EBC can be collected in rats in sufficient quantities to study acute lung injury. TNF-α and IL-6 can be measured in the EBC. Correlation between TNF-α in the EBC and lavage was demonstrated in this rat model of lung injury.

Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO): Guidelines for Pediatric Cardiac Failure.

These guidelines are applicable to neonates and children with cardiac failure as indication for extracorporeal life support. These guidelines address patient selection, management during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and pathways for weaning support or bridging to other therapies. Equally important issues, such as personnel, training, credentialing, resources, follow-up, reporting, and quality assurance, are addressed in other Extracorporeal Life Support Organization documents or are center-specific.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Candidacy in Pediatric Patients Treated With Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant and Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy: An International Survey.

INTRODUCTION: Pediatric patients who undergo hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) or chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy are at high risk for complications leading to organ failure and the need for critical care resources. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a supportive modality that is used for cardiac and respiratory failure refractory to conventional therapies. While the use of ECMO is increasing for patients who receive HCT, candidacy for these patients remains controversial. We therefore surveyed pediatric critical care and HCT providers across North America and Europe to evaluate current provider opinions and decision-making and institutional practices regarding ECMO use for patients treated with HCT or CAR-T. METHODS: An electronic twenty-eight question survey was distributed to pediatric critical care and HCT providers practicing in North America (United States and Canada) and Europe through the Pediatric Acute Lung Injury and Sepsis Investigators (PALISI) Network and individual emails. Responses to the survey were recorded in a REDCap® database. RESULTS: Two-hundred and ten participants completed the survey. Of these, 159 (76%) identified themselves as pediatric critical care physicians and 47 (22%) as pediatric HCT physicians or oncologists. The majority (99.5%) of survey respondents stated that they would consider patients treated with HCT or CAR-T therapy as candidates for ECMO support. However, pediatric critical care physicians identified more absolute and relative contraindications for ECMO than non-pediatric critical care physicians. While only 0.5% of respondents reported that they consider HCT as an absolute contraindication for ECMO, 6% of respondents stated that ECMO is contraindicated in HCT patients within their institution and only 23% have an institutional protocol or policy to guide the evaluation for ECMO candidacy of these patients. Almost half (49.1%) of respondents would accept a survival to hospital discharge of 20-30% for pediatric HCT patients requiring ECMO as adequate. CONCLUSIONS: ECMO use for pediatric patients treated with HCT and CAR-T therapy is generally acceptable amongst physicians. However, there are differences in the evaluation and decision-making regarding ECMO candidacy amongst providers across medical specialties and institutions. Therefore, multidisciplinary collaboration is an essential component in establishing practice guidelines and advancing ECMO outcomes for these patients.

Tracheostomy and long-term mechanical ventilation in children after veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective is to characterize the incidence of tracheostomy placement and of new requirement for long-term mechanical ventilation after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) among children with acute respiratory failure. We examine whether an association exists between demographics, pre-ECMO and ECMO clinical factors, and the placement of a tracheostomy or need for long-term mechanical ventilation. METHODS: A retrospective multicenter cohort study was conducted at 10 quaternary care pediatric academic centers, including children supported with veno-venous (V-V) ECMO from 2011 to 2016. RESULTS: Among 202 patients, 136 (67%) survived to ICU discharge. All tracheostomies were placed after ECMO decannulation, in 22 patients, with 19 of those surviving to ICU discharge (14% of survivors). Twelve patients (9% of survivors) were discharged on long-term mechanical ventilation. Tracheostomy placement and discharge on home ventilation were not associated with pre-ECMO severity of illness or pre-existing chronic illness. Patients who received a tracheostomy were older and weighed more than patients who did not receive a tracheostomy, although this association did not exist among patients discharged on home ventilation. ECMO duration was longer in those who received a tracheostomy compared with those who did not, as well as for those discharged on home ventilation, compared to those who were not. CONCLUSION: The 14% rate for tracheostomy placement and 9% rate for discharge on long-term mechanical ventilation after V-V ECMO are important patient-centered findings. This study informs anticipatory guidance provided to families of patients requiring prolonged respiratory ECMO support, and lays the foundation for future research.

Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Children With Cancer or Hematopoietic Cell Transplant: A Ten Center Cohort.

We performed a multicenter retrospective cohort study of children with 14 days to 18 years of age in the United States from 2011 to 2016 with cancer or hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) who were supported with veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-V ECMO). We compared the outcomes of children with oncological diagnoses or HCT supported with V-V ECMO to other children who have received V-V ECMO support. In this cohort of 204 patients supported with V-V ECMO, 30 (15%) had a diagnosis of cancer or a history of HCT. There were 21 patients who had oncological diagnoses without HCT and 9 children were post-HCT. The oncology/HCT group had a higher overall ICU mortality (67% vs. 28%, P < 0.001), mortality on ECMO (43% vs. 21%, P < 0.01), and ICU mortality among ECMO survivors (35% vs. 8%, P < 0.01). The oncology/HCT group had a higher rate of conversion to veno-arterial (V-A) ECMO (23% vs. 9%, P = 0.02) (RR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.1-5.6). Children with cancer or HCT were older (6.6 vs. 2.9 years, P = 0.02) and had higher creatinine levels (0.65 vs. 0.4 mg/dL, P = 0.04) but were similar to the rest of the cohort for other pre-ECMO variables. For post-HCT patients, survival was significantly worse for those whose indication for HCT was cancer or immunodeficiency (0/6) as compared to other nonmalignant indications (3/3) (P = 0.01).

Case Report: Management Approach and Use of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage After Pediatric Hematopoietic Cell Transplant.

Introduction: Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is an early pulmonary complication of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) associated with severe hypoxemic respiratory failure and mortality. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support is often used for respiratory failure refractory to conventional interventions; however, its use has been limited in HCT patients with DAH due to potential for worsening alveolar hemorrhage and reported high mortality. Case Presentation: We report two cases of DAH following HCT who developed refractory hypoxemic respiratory failure despite cessation of bleeding and were successfully supported with ECMO. Conclusion: DAH after HCT should not automatically preclude ECMO support; rather, these patients must be evaluated individually for ECMO within the context of their overall clinical picture.

Mechanical Ventilation in Children on Venovenous ECMO.

BACKGROUND: Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) is used when mechanical ventilation can no longer support oxygenation or ventilation, or if the risk of ventilator-induced lung injury is considered excessive. The optimum mechanical ventilation strategy once on ECMO is unknown. We sought to describe the practice of mechanical ventilation in children on VV-ECMO and to determine whether mechanical ventilation practices are associated with clinical outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study in 10 pediatric academic centers in the United States. Children age 14 d through 18 y on VV-ECMO from 2011 to 2016 were included. Exclusion criteria were preexisting chronic respiratory failure, primary diagnosis of asthma, cyanotic heart disease, or ECMO as a bridge to lung transplant. RESULTS: Conventional mechanical ventilation was used in about 75% of children on VV-ECMO; the remaining subjects were managed with a variety of approaches. With the exception of PEEP, there was large variation in ventilator settings. Ventilator mode and pressure settings were not associated with survival. Mean ventilator FIO2 on days 1-3 was higher in nonsurvivors than in survivors (0.5 vs 0.4, P = .009). In univariate analysis, other risk factors for mortality were female gender, higher Pediatric Risk Estimate Score for Children Using Extracorporeal Respiratory Support (Ped-RESCUERS), diagnosis of cancer or stem cell transplant, and number of days intubated prior to initiation of ECMO (all P < .05). In multivariate analysis, ventilator FIO2 was significantly associated with mortality (odds ratio 1.38 for each 0.1 increase in FIO2 , 95% CI 1.09-1.75). Mortality was higher in subjects on high ventilator FIO2 (≥ 0.5) compared to low ventilator FIO2 (> 0.5) (46% vs 22%, P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Ventilator mode and some settings vary in practice. The only ventilator setting associated with mortality was FIO2 , even after adjustment for disease severity. Ventilator FIO2 is a modifiable setting that may contribute to mortality in children on VV-ECMO.

Experience of a single institution with femoral vein homograft as right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit in stage 1 Norwood operation.

OBJECTIVE: Femoral vein homograft can be used be used as valved right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit in the Norwood operation. We describe the results of this approach, including pulmonary artery growth and ventricular function. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 24 consecutive neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome or complex single ventricle undergoing this approach between June 2012 and December 2017 was performed. Conduit valve competency and ventricular function were estimated using transthoracic echocardiogram, and pulmonary artery growth was measured using Nakata's index. Changes in ventricular function pre-Glenn and at latest follow-up were assessed by ordinal logistic regression with a general linear model to account for the correlation within the same patient over time. RESULTS: Median age at surgery was 4 days, and mean weight was 3 kg. There was no interstage mortality. A total of 21 patients have undergone Glenn operation, and 9 patients have completed the Fontan operation. None of the conduits developed thrombosis. Sixty-three percent of conduits remained competent in the first month, and 33% remained competent after 3 months of operation. Catheter interventions on conduits were necessary in 14 patients. Median Nakata index at pre-Glenn catheterization was 228 mm2/m2 (interquartile range, 107-341 mm2/m2). Right ventricular function was preserved in 83% of patients at a median follow-up of 34 (interquartile range, 10-46) months. CONCLUSIONS: Femoral vein homograft as a right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit in the Norwood operation is safe and associated with good pulmonary artery growth and preserved ventricular function as assessed by subjective echocardiography. Catheter intervention of the conduit may be necessary.

Survey of ECMO practices for infants with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.

OBJECTIVE: Historically, some physicians are reluctant to offer extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to infants with neonatal encephalopathy. This study describes how ECMO practices have changed since the development of therapeutic hypothermia (TH) for neonatal encephalopathy. STUDY DESIGN: A 22-question electronic survey was sent to neonatal medical directors and ECMO directors in the USA and Canada. Participants were queried on TH and ECMO practices and if they would offer ECMO given certain clinical factors; confidential responses were compared with a similar survey conducted in 2008. RESULT: A total of 356 physicians were invited to participate, and the response rate was 25%. Seventy-two percent had initiated or referred for ECMO during cooling therapy. Compared with the 2008 survey, participants were more likely to offer ECMO for moderate and severe encephalopathy. Ninety-four percent offer hypothermia for neonatal encephalopathy, but only 24% have written ECMO criteria for such patients. Neonatologists were more likely than non-neonatologists to offer ECMO for mild and moderate encephalopathy. CONCLUSION: ECMO use with neonatal encephalopathy has increased since TH has become standard care. Wide variability in practice remains with important differences between neonatologists and non-neonatologists.

High Frequency Jet Ventilation in Respiratory Failure Secondary to Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection: A Case Series.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the utility of high frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) as a rescue therapy in patients with respiratory failure secondary to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) that was refractory to conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV). DESIGN: Descriptive study by retrospective review. SETTING: Pediatric intensive care unit at a tertiary care children's hospital. PATIENTS: Infants on mechanical ventilation for respiratory failure due to RSV. INTERVENTIONS: Use of HFJV. MAIN RESULTS: Eleven patients were placed on HFJV. There was sustained improvement in ventilation on HFJV with a mean decrease in PCO2 of 9 mmHg at 24 h and 11 mmHg at 72 h. There were no significant changes in oxygenation by oxygenation index. No patients required extracorporeal support or suffered pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, or subcutaneous emphysema. Ten out of 11 (91%) patients survived to discharge from the hospital. CONCLUSION: High frequency jet ventilation may represent an alternative therapy for RSV-induced respiratory failure that is refractory to CMV.