Background-Survival of children with in-hospital cardiac arrest that does not respond to conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is poor. We report on survival and early neurological outcomes of children with heart disease supported with rapid-response extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to aid cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR). Methods and Results-Children with heart disease supported with ECPR were identified from our ECMO database.Demographic, CPR, and ECMO details associated with mortality were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression. Pediatric overall performance category and pediatric cerebral performance category scores were assigned to ECPR survivors to assess neurological outcomes. There were 180 ECPR runs in 172 patients. Eighty-eight patients (51%) survived to discharge. Survival in patients who underwent ECPR after cardiac surgery (54%) did not differ from nonsurgical patients (46%). Survival did not vary by cardiac diagnosis and CPR duration did not differ between survivors and nonsurvivors. Factors associated with mortality included noncardiac structural or chromosomal abnormalities (OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.3-7.9), use of blood-primed ECMO circuit (OR, 7.1; 95% CI, 1.4 -36), and arterial pH Ͻ7.00 after ECMO deployment (OR, 6.0; 95% CI, 2.1-17.4). Development of end-organ injury on ECMO and longer ECMO duration were associated with increased mortality. Of pediatric overall performance category/pediatric cerebral performance category scores assigned to survivors, 75% had scores Յ2, indicating no to mild neurological injury. Conclusions-ECPR may promote survival in children with cardiac disease experiencing cardiac arrest unresponsive to conventional CPR with favorable early neurological outcomes. CPR duration was not associated with mortality, whereas patients with metabolic acidosis and noncardiac structural or chromosomal anomalies had higher mortality.

ASO-OCCLUSION IS ONE OF THE hallmarks and major complications of sickle cell disease (SCD), resulting in acute debilitating episodic pain and contributing to infection, acute chest syndrome, splenic sequestration, stroke, acute and chronic multisystem organ damage, and shortened life expectancy. Acute painful vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) is one of the earliest manifestations of SCD, with crises often beginning in infancy. 1,2 Beyond early childhood, VOC accounts for 90% of hospitalizations in children with SCD. The pathophysiology of vasoocclusion is complex and not fully understood. Polymerization of deoxygenated hemoglobin S (HbS) produces sickled cells that result in vasoocclusion. In addition, abnormal interactions between poorly deformable HbS and vascular endothelium result in dysregulation of vascular tone 3-5 ; activation of monocytes, 6 adhesion molecules, 7 and procoagulant factors 8 ; and reperfusion injury. 9 These vascular disturbances increase red blood cell transit time, prolonging deoxygenation, which promotes further sickling and vaso-occlusion. Despite advances in understanding of SCD including identification of potential targets for therapy, to date there are no effective, approved mechanismof-disease-based therapies for acute VOC, and symptom-directed therapies (ie, analgesia and fluids) with

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Although the fundamentals of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) have not changed in 3 decades, the technical elements continue to improve and have evolved from an assemblage of individual components to more integrated systems with added features, enhanced safety, and improved maneuverability. The introduction of polymethylpentene (PMP) fiber technology has expanded the development of artificial membranes that have low resistance, are more biocompatible, and can be used for extended durations. Extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal techniques continue to be enhanced as stand alone technology and modified renal dialysis systems are introduced. Research continues in the development of compact and wearable artificial lungs that are intended to support patients for prolonged periods (eg, patients awaiting lung transplantation). The use of high-fidelity simulation training has become a standard and important method for reinforcing technical skills, refining troubleshooting sequences, and enhancing team interactions. Modifications to mannequins and ECMO systems coupled with clinical and physiologic scenarios will help achieve greater realism and enhance learning. ECMO technology continues to improve, with adaptability and versatility being essential attributes.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, a form of artificial circulatory support, continues to evolve beyond its well-established neonatal applications. It is often the most aggressive aspect of treatment algorithms in the management of severe respiratory and cardiac failure. While its use is relatively infrequent and executed in a small number of centers, it remains an important supportive measure while organ function is preserved and restored. Refinements in equipment and techniques continue to develop; patient-selection has changed, in adults and children, and cardiac applications have gained prominence.

Increased pulmonary dead space exists early after stage 1 palliation operation for single ventricle congenital heart disease. Higher VD/VT during the first 48 postoperative hours was associated with longer duration of ventilation and hospital LOS and may be a useful marker of postoperative outcomes in this population.

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BACKGROUND: Ribavirin is an antiviral drug that can be administered by inhalation. Despite advancements in the oral delivery of this medication, there has been a renewed interested in delivering ribavirin via the pulmonary system. Although data are not conclusive that inhaled ribavirin improves outcomes, we set out to determine whether delivery by a newer generation nebulizer, the vibrating mesh micropump, was as effective as the recommended small-particle aerosol generator system. METHODS: We compared the physicochemical makeup and concentrations of ribavirin before and after nebulization with 0.9% NaCl and sterile water. An Andersen cascade impactor was used to determine particle size distribution and mass median aerodynamic diameter, and an absolute filter was used to measure total aerosol emitted output and inhaled dose during mechanical ventilation and spontaneous breathing. Ribavirin was analyzed and quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection. RESULTS: Ribavirin was found to be stable in both 0.9% aqueous NaCl and sterile water with an r 2 value of 0.96 and identical coefficients of variation with no difference in drug concentration before and after nebulization with the vibrating mesh micropump. The small-particle aerosol generator produced a smaller mass median aerodynamic diameter (1.84 m) than the vibrating mesh micropump (3.63 m, P ‫؍‬ .02); however, there was no significant difference in the proportion of drug mass in the 0.7-4.7-m particle range. Total drug delivery was similar with the smallparticle aerosol generator and vibrating mesh micropump in both spontaneously breathing (P ‫؍‬ .77) and mechanical ventilation (P ‫؍‬ .48) models. CONCLUSIONS: The vibrating mesh micropump nebulizer may provide an effective alternative to the small-particle aerosol generator in administration of ribavirin using NaCl or sterile water, both on and off the ventilator. Further clinical studies are needed to compare efficacy.