Effect of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation measures on prognosis of children with fulminant myocarditis

Abstract

Objective To investigate the clinical features and the clinical effects of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO) in children with fulminant myocarditis. Methods The data of one hundred and sixty one pediatric patients with fulminant myocarditis at Beijing Children′s Hospital from March 1, 2007 to May 31, 2018 were analyzed retrospectively, including clinical manifestations, electrocardiogram, echocardiography, myocardial enzyme, the application of ECMO, curative effect and prognosis. Results Among 161 cases of children with fulminant myocarditis, 74 cases(46.0%) had respiratory tract symptoms, 54 cases(33.5%) had digestive tract symptoms, 24 cases(14.9%) had nervous system symptoms, only 33 cases(20.5%) had cardiovascular symptoms.One hundred and thirty-two cases(82.0%) had elevation of creatine kinase isoenzymes(CK-MB) and/or cardiac troponin I(cTnI), and 107 cases(66.5%) had abnormal echocardiography.One hundred and fifty-two cases(94.4%) showed abnormal electrocardiogram, and the changes of ST-T and atrioventricular block were most common.Five cases survived in 8 children treated with ECMO.They underwent ECMO with an median supporting time of 101.5(52.75, 142.8)hours through a venous-arterial ECMO model.After the application of ECMO, blood pressure, the heart rate and oxygen saturation were obviously improved in the 8 children, and the level of blood lactic acid was statistically reduced compared with that before the application of ECMO(P 0.05). Conclusion Our study indicates the diverse symptoms in children with fulminant myocarditis.Comprehensive application of electrocardiogram, echocardiography, and myocardial enzymology markers may be of benefit to the timely diagnosis of fulminant myocarditis.The application of ECMO in fulminant myocarditis remains an effective approach in reduction of mortality rate, and can effectively support recovery of cardiopulmonary functions. Key words: Fulminant myocarditis; Children; Clinical manifestations; Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation