Mechanical support for congestive heart failure in infants and children.

Pharmacologic therapy is the primary intervention for congestive heart failure in children. When pharmacologic support is unsuccessful, however, the use of mechanical support is becoming more common. The use of intraaortic balloon counterpulsation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, ventricular assist devices, and abdominal compression devices in infants and children is increasingly becoming a viable option in pediatrics. Despite these advances, development of mechanical support for refractory CHF must continue for the development of ventricular assist devices and artificial hearts for infant and children as a bridge to transplant.