Abstract
The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in terminally ill pediatric patients who are not candidates for long-term mechanical circulatory support or heart transplantation requires careful deliberation. We present the case of a 16-year-old female with a relapse of acute lymphoid leukemia and acute-on-chronic cardiomyopathy who received short-term ECMO therapy. In addition, we highlight several ethical considerations that were crucial to this patient’s family-centered care and demonstrate that this therapy can be accomplished in a manner that respects patient autonomy and family wishes.
Shankar, Venkat et al. “Ethical dilemma: offering short-term extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support for terminally ill children who are not candidates for long-term mechanical circulatory support or heart transplantation.” World journal for pediatric & congenital heart surgery vol. 5,2 (2014): 311-4. doi:10.1177/2150135113509820
