ABSTRACT
Mechanical support of the failing circulation in children has much of its origins in cardiovascular surgery. Adaptation of heart-lung machines to support patients in cardiogenic shock has been attempted by clinicians since the 1950s. Support of children with postoperative pulmonary hypertension associated with repair of congenital heart disease was reported as early as 1963. However, it was not until the important contributions of Bartlett and colleagues (1) that technological advances permitted prolonged mechanical support of children with cardiorespiratory failure to become a routine aspect of intensive care life.
