title: Mechanical support in childhood heart failure.
abstract: Despite optimization of standard medical therapy, some patients with chronic heart failure will deteriorate to the point that they require hospitalization for intravenous therapies and inpatient monitoring. Once the condition is recognized, the therapeutic goals are to reverse hemodynamic derangements, correct metabolic abnormalities, and provide symptomatic relief. Achievement of these goals requires individualized care and a familiarity with the risks and benefits of particular therapies.
authors.affiliation: Cardiomyopathy and Heart Failure, Cardiovascular Genetics Service, Pediatric Cardiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. jlj@bcm.tmc.edu
authors.forename: John Lynn
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Jefferies
authors.forename: Jack F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: David L S
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Morales
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D000075202:Contraindications; D015199:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; D005544:Forecasting; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000628:therapy*; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D018579:Patient Selection; D011474:Prosthesis Design