Transport of critically ill children on cardiopulmonary support assistance

Abstract

Objective: To report two patients helicopter transport on mechanical cardiopulmonary support to a transplant center. Setting: Cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) and transport helicopter. Patients: A 9 kg and 22 kg children who suffer cardiac deterioration needing air transport on mechanical cardiopulmonary support. Interventions and Results: CPS was initiated to support these patients failing cardiac function. Transport on CPS of these two patients to a transplant institution was accomplished after determining that heart transplantation would be their more likely chance for recovery. Conclusion: A cardiac deterioration event that will lead to the need for heart transplantation can be acute and sudden sparing no time for early referral to a transplant center. It is necessary for heart centers to have a plan of action to provide inter-hospital transport on cardiopulmonary support (CPS). This protocol can involve transport by the refer ral institution, the receiving institution or a third institution.