First Human Implantation of A Miniaturized Axial Flow Ventricular Assist Device in a Child with End-Stage Heart Failure

Small children with end-stage heart failure who require left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support to heart transplant have limited device options leading to high morbidity and mortality and chronic hospitalization until transplant.1,2 The only FDA-approved durable LVAD for children is a paracorporeal pulsatile device that carries a high stroke risk and lacks portability precluding hospital discharge.1 Temporary paracorporeal continuous flow (CF) devices have also been used off-label for bridge-to-transplant but carry higher mortality, require lengthy paracorporeal cannulas prone to circuit thrombus, and typically require children to remain in intensive care.

Source: The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation - September 10, 2019 Category: Transplant Surgery Authors: Antonio Amodeo, Sergio Filippelli, Gianluigi Perri, Roberta Iacobelli, Rachele Adorisio, Francesca Iodice, Alessandra Rizza, M. Patricia Massicotte, J. Timothy Baldwin, Christopher S.D. Almond Tags: Case Anecdotes, Comments and Opinions Source Type: research