Early clinical outcomes of new pediatric extracorporeal life support system (Endumo^® 2000) in neonates and infants

We investigated early clinical outcomes of a new extracorporeal life support (ECLS) system (Endumo^® 2000, Heiwa Bussan, Tokyo, Japan), which consists of a ROTAFLOW centrifugal pump, a BIOCUBE oxygenator with plasma-leakage-tight polymer fibers, and a biocompatible coating (T-NCVC^® coating), in pediatric patients <1 year old. From 2008 to 2011, 31 patients required ECLS. Except for 1 patient who was instituted with a transitional ECLS device, a conventional ECLS system (pediatric Emersave^®, TERUMO, Saitama, Japan) was initiated in 14 patients before December 2009 (6 boys, 63.4 ± 87.1 days old, 3.1 ± 1.0 kg), and the Endumo^® 2000 was initiated in 16 patients after December 2009 (8 boys, 43.9 ± 78.5 days old, 3.2 ± 0.7 kg). Primary reasons for the institution of ECLS were intraoperative low output syndrome in 11 patients, post-cardiotomy cardiopulmonary collapse in 9 patients, and other reasons in 10 patients. The median support period was 21.7 ± 20.7 days and the total number of circuit exchanges was 83. The median first circuit durability was significantly longer in the Endumo group [8.0 days (range 5.9–13.2) vs. 4.4 days (1.9–8.3)] (p = 0.020). Significant cranial hemorrhage occurred in only 1 patient, who received the Emersave system. The success rate for weaning from ECLS was 14.3 % in the Emersave group and 56.3 % in the Endumo group. Univariate analysis showed that usage of the Endumo^® 2000 was a predictor for successful weaning from the ECLS (p = 0.017) as well as survival at discharge (p = 0.032). The Endumo^® 2000 system provided safe and effective cardiopulmonary support without complications.