[Clinical characteristics analysis of 6 children with anomalous origin of coronary artery supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation]

Abstract

Objective: To summarize the clinical features of children with anomalous origin of coronary artery (AOCA) who received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. Methods: A case series study was conducted. Clinical data was collected from 6 children who were diagnosed with AOCA by coronary computed tomography angiography or digital subtraction angiography and received ECMO support in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of Henan Provincial People's Hospital between January 2020 and August 2024. Descriptive analysis was performed on their clinical features, laboratory test results, point-of-care echocardiography results, imaging findings, surgical management, and outcomes. Results: Among the 6 children (3 males and 3 females), the age of onset was 12.5 (11.0, 13.0) years. All 6 patients were transported from other hospitals under ECMO support. Five patients were admitted with chief complaints of "cardiac arrest after strenuous activity, syncope after strenuous activity, or heart failure" and were initially diagnosed with fulminant myocarditis or cardiomyopathy. All 6 children had significantly elevated troponin and B-type natriuretic peptide levels upon admission. Point-of-care echocardiography revealed segmental left ventricular systolic dysfunction in all 6 children, and AOCA was detected in 2 cases based on bedside ultrasound. ECMO was successfully weaned in 5 children. All 6 cases were diagnosed with AOCA. Four children underwent surgical coronary artery correction, one received a heart transplantation, and one missed the optimal window for surgical correction. Heart transplantation was recommended for the latter, but the parents declined, and the patient was discharged. During the follow-up until August 2025, all 6 children survived. Conclusions: AOCA in children is prone to misdiagnosis as other diseases in the early stage. Timely ECMO support provides the possibility of surgery or heart transplantation for children experiencing acute ischemic and hypoxic episodes due to AOCA, improving survival rates.