Commentary: Filling the gap: Can ventricular assist devices support hearts with a single ventricle?

Philip and colleagues1 report the successful experience of bridging an infant with hypoplastic left heart syndrome to heart transplantation using an Excor ventricular assist device (VAD) (Berlin Heart Inc, The Woodlands, Tex).1 The authors describe an innovative strategy for supporting failing stage 1 single ventricle physiology in small patients (2.5-3.75  kg). Innovations include the choice of a pulsatile pump, the use of bivalirudin for anticoagulation, pulmonary artery banding, and atrial cannulation.
Source: The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery - Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Tags: Commentary Source Type: research