Left ventricular decompression in paediatric veno-arterial extracorporeal life support: Reviewing the evidence.

ABSTRACT: Veno-arterial extracorporeal life support (VA ECLS) is crucial for neonatal and paediatric patients with severe circulatory collapse but may cause left ventricular (LV) overload, affecting myocardial recovery and causing complications. Evidence on optimal LV decompression strategies in paediatric patients remains limited. We conducted a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines, including articles published between 1993 and 2024 focused on VA ECLS and LV decompression in patients under 18 years of age. The review included 11 retrospective cohorts and registry-based studies (2012-2024), totalling 1222 paediatric patients undergoing decompression. Patient demographics, initial diagnoses and VA ECLS settings were heterogeneous. The prevalence of LV decompression ranged from 46.6% in post-

SUBMITTER: Veronese G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12287853 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature