Transport of critically ill children on cardiopulmonary support assistance.

OBJECTIVE To report two patients helicopter transport on mechanical cardiopulmonary support to a transplant center. SETTING Cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) and transport helicopter. PATIENTS A 9 kg and 22 kg children who suffer cardiac deterioration needing air transport on mechanical cardiopulmonary support. INTERVENTIONS AND RESULTS CPS was initiated to support these patients failing cardiac function. Transport on CPS of these two patients to a transplant institution was accomplished after determining that heart transplantation would be their more likely chance for recovery. CONCLUSION A cardiac deterioration event that will lead to the need for heart transplantation can be acute and sudden sparing no time for early referral to a transplant center. It is necessary for heart centers to have a plan of action to provide inter-hospital transport on cardiopulmonary support (CPS). This protocol can involve transport by the referral institution, the receiving institution or a third institution.