Initial experiences with a centrifugal-pump based minimal invasive extracorporeal circulation system in pediatric congenital cardiac surgery.

Background: Minimal invasive extracorporeal circulation (MiECC) circuits are an established alternative to conventional extracorporeal circulation (CECC). Based on the positive effects and improved perioperative outcomes of MiECC in adult cardiac surgery, this perfusion concept appears particularly attractive to pediatric cardiac surgery. So far, there are no reports on the clinical application of a MiECC system for corrective surgery in neonates and children.