PEDIATRIC ECMO FOR SEVERE QUINIDINE CARDIOTOXICITY

We report the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to est ablish and maintain cardiovascular stability in a 16 month old with re fractory bradydysrrhythmias and hypotension after an acute overdose of quinidine. He underwent an 11-day course of ECMO and was discharged w ith normal neurologic function, This case illustrates the role ECMO ca n play in the treatment of profound cardiovascular collapse caused by toxic ingestions, To be optimally effective, management of such patien ts must be anticipatory.