Table 2 Comparision of the modalities of mechanical support in children.

Parameter	IABP	ECMO	VAD
Ventricle supported	Left ventricle	Both ventricles	Mainly left ventricle
Complexity of equipment	Low	High	Moderate
Ease of use	Easy	Low	Moderate
Anticoagulation needed	Low	High	High
Complication rate	Moderate	High	Least
Duration of support	Days	Weeks	Weeks to months
Survival (%)	56	40	40

ECMO, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; IABP, intra‐aortic balloon pump; VAD, ventricular assist devices.