Ventricular Performance is Associated with Need for Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Newborns with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

Need for ECMO was associated with decreased left and right ventricular function, as assessed by standard and STE measures. There was no difference in pulmonary hypertension between non ECMO and ECMO patients. Abnormal cardiac function may explain nonresponse to pulmonary vasodilators in patients with CDH. Management strategies to improve cardiac function may reduce the need for ECMO in newborns with CDH.