ABSTRACT

Intraaortic balloon pumping is firstly, and ventricular assist heart devices are secondly used in emergency situations of adults. In children, however, isolated left ventricular failure is rare, and right ventricular failure with the contribution of pulmonary hypertension and hypoxemia is more common. Due to these physiological effects, the use of intraaortic balloon pumping and left ventricular assist heart devices which provide isolated support of the left ventricle is limited in children. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation provides biventricular support in cases in whom medical treatment is inadequate. This review will focus on extracorporeal membran oxygenation that are used for emergency cardiac support in children. Ventricular assist heart devices and intraaortic balloon pumping will be reviewed as well.