Aortic Dissection in a Neonate Receiving Extracorporeal Life Support Therapy: A Case Report

Abstract

Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) therapy is increasingly being used to support children with refractory cardiorespiratory failure, but its use is occasionally associated with complications. 1 Neonatal aortic dissection in association with ECLS is rare and the clinical sequelae of aortic dissection in neonates are poorly understood. We report a case of extensive type B aortic dissection in a neonate receiving ECLS therapy for refractory cardiogenic shock secondary to tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy and Wolf Parkinson White (WPW) syndrome. The patient was noted to have aortic dissection along with multiple abdominal organ ischemic injury a day after ECLS arterial cannula position adjustment. The patient was rapidly decannulated from ECLS and the aortic dissection was managed conservatively with good outcome. We discuss our approach and rationale behind conservative management of this rarely reported complication associated with ECLS therapy and discuss available literature.