Preoperative venovenous extracorporal membrane oxygenation for transposition of great arteries with severe pulmonary hypertension in a newborn

Abstract

Severe persistent pulmonary hypertension in a newborn combined with transposition of great arteries increases the risk of early death before the arterial switch operation. We report the case of a newborn with transposition of great arteries and ventricular septal defect associated with severe pulmonary hypertension. Profound hypoxemia, despite successful balloon atrial septostomy and conventional supportive measures with mechanical ventilation, inhaled nitric oxide, and inotropes, led to the use of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation to rapidly stabilize the child preoperatively. Different from most reported cases on this scenario, we intentionally opted for a venovenous mode of support despite the presence of circulatory compromise. © 2020 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons