Comparative Effects of Ventricular Assist Device and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation on Renal Function in Pediatric Heart Failure

Background. Effects of mechanical cardiac support on renal function in children with end-stage heart failure are unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of ventricular assist device (VAD) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) on renal function in children. Methods. We performed a single center retrospective observational study in children with end-stage heart failure supported on pediatric mechanical cardiac support. The patient population was divided into three groups: the VAD group included patients receiving ventricular assist device support; the ECMO group included patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation membrane support for more than 14 days; and the ECMO+VAD group included patients receiving ECMO followed by VAD support. Comparison of baseline characteristics, duration of mechanical cardiac support, and renal function was made between the three groups. Results. During the study period, there were 23 patients in the VAD group, 16 patients in the ECMO+VAD group, and 37 patients in the ECMO group. The patients in the ECMO group were significantly younger and smaller than the patients in the VAD and ECMO+VAD groups. There was a steady improvement in eGFR in the VAD group and the ECMO+VAD group until day 7 after which there was a decline in renal function. In the ECMO group, the improvement in eGFR continued until day 28 after which there was a steady decline in eGFR. Improvement in eGFR in the VAD group and the ECMO+VAD group was much higher than in the ECMO group in the first 7 days. Conclusions. On the basis of these data, we demonstrate that renal dysfunction improves early after mechanical cardiac support. (C) 2013 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons