Mechanical Circulatory Support for Low Cardiac Output Syndrome Due to Tachyarrhythmia after Cardiac Surgery in a Newborn

Abstract

The case of a newborn with malignant tachyarrhythmia after heart surgery treated with cardiac extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is presented. After emergency surgery for a large right atrial tumor, the newborn developed supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias. Despite antiarrhythmic medication, tachyarrhythmia remained, and low cardiac output syndrome developed progressively. Mechanical circulatory support was started, and soon thereafter sinus rhythm recovered. Four days after implantation, mechanical circulatory support was terminated, and the ECMO device was explanted. At discharge from the hospital, the baby had had stable sinus rhythm without any antiarrhythmic medication.