Dismal Outcomes of Second-Run Extracorporeal Life Support in the Paediatric Population

Abstract

Background: In 2011 we reported unfavourable outcomes of second-run extracorporeal life support (ECLS) in children. We wanted to investigate whether this previous report affected our strategy and modified our long-term outcomes. Methods: Between 1988 and 2015, 31 patients underwent a second-run ECLS. Median age at the time of first support was 9 days (0–16 years). Median length of support for the first and second runs were 4.7 days (0.1–10) and 3.6 days (0.5–8.7) respectively, with an interval of 1.8 days (0.1–66) between supports. Results: There was an increasing trend in the number of patients undergoing second-run ECLS after our report: 21 patients between 1988 and mid-2010 (0.9 patients/..