Short‐Term Mortality Among Pediatric Patients With Heart Diseases Undergoing Veno‐Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

Abstract

Background Veno‐arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation serves as a crucial mechanical circulatory support for pediatric patients with severe heart diseases, but the mortality rate remains high. The objective of this study was to assess the short‐term mortality in these patients. Methods and Results We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for observational studies that evaluated the short‐term mortality of pediatric patients undergoing veno‐arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. To estimate short‐term mortality, we used random‐effects meta‐analysis. Furthermore, we conducted meta‐regression and binomial regression analyses to investigate the risk factors associated with the outcome of interest. We systematically reviewed 28 eligible references encompassing a total of 1736 patients. The pooled analysis demonstrated a short‐term mortality (defined as in‐hospital or 30‐day mortality) of 45.6% (95% CI, 38.7%–52.4%). We found a significant difference ( P <0.001) in mortality rates between acute fulminant myocarditis and congenital heart disease, with acute fulminant myocarditis exhibiting a lower mortality rate. Our findings revealed a negative correlation between older age and weight and short‐term mortality in patients undergoing veno‐arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Male sex, bleeding, renal damage, and central cannulation were associated with an increased risk of short‐term mortality. Conclusions The short‐term mortality among pediatric patients undergoing veno‐arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for severe heart diseases was 45.6%. Patients with acute fulminant myocarditis exhibited more favorable survival rates compared with those with congenital heart disease. Several risk factors, including male sex, bleeding, renal damage, and central cannulation contributed to an increased risk of short‐term mortality. Conversely, older age and greater weight appeared to be protective factors.