Isolated right ventricular unloading for postcardiotomy right ventricular failure in a child.

Severe right ventricular (RV) failure after total correction of double outlet RV (DORV) with pulmonary atresia was completely reversed with extracorporeal mechanical RV unloading in a 2.5-year-old child. The patient could be weaned after 168 h of RV assist device (RVAD) support using a centrifugal Bio-Medicus pump and was discharged from the hospital without adverse effects. This experience of isolated RV unloading in a child encourages further application of RVAD in pediatric patients.