Which is NOT a treatment option for north-south syndrome?

The management of north-south syndrome, a condition often seen in patients on extracorporeal circulation, typically focuses on optimizing cardiovascular support and oxygenation. Among the options presented, upright patient positioning is not a standard treatment strategy for this syndrome.

North-south syndrome refers to a disparity in flow distribution between the upper and lower body, leading to differences in oxygenation and blood perfusion. To address this condition, interventions generally aim to increase perfusion and oxygen delivery to the areas that are hypoxic or underperfused. Decreasing inotropes may reduce the workload on the heart and improve the flow balance. Increasing the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) is a direct approach to enhance oxygenation in the blood. Increasing ECMO flows is also a crucial strategy that can help improve overall circulation and specifically target areas that are not receiving adequate perfusion.

On the other hand, upright positioning does not directly enhance the circulatory dynamics or oxygen delivery in patients with north-south syndrome, which is why it is not considered an effective treatment option for this condition.