Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcome of patients requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for acute myocarditis in our institution.
Methods. The hospital records of all patients requiring ECMO for myocarditis in KK Women and Children’s Hospital were reviewed.
Results. Eight patients with myocarditis were put on ECMO for cardiopulmonary support from January 2002 to October 2008. Patient’s age ranged from 3 to 12 years (median 6 years). Duration on ECMO ranged from 89- 502 hours. 5 patients were discharged well (62.5%). One of these patients (Patient 4) developed dilated cardiomyopathy and died after 18 months post- ECMO survival.
Patient 7 had severe mitral regurgitation after weaning off ECMO and underwent mitral valve repair successfully. Patient 8 had no cardiac contractility for the initial 2 weeks but regained good cardiac function after 21 days of support, was weaned off ECMO and discharged home well. Complications include left hemiparesis in Patient 7 and left hemothorax in Patient 2 and Patient 8. Two patients who collapsed and required cardiac massage prior to ECMO did not survive.
Conclusion. Recovery of cardiac function and good outcome can be anticipated in patients with acute myocarditis requiring ECMO. Initiation of ECMO before cardiovascular collapse increases likelihood of survival