Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026
Use of Two Intracorporeal Ventricular Assist Devices As a Total Artificial Heart
Published on: May 11, 2018
Successful use of Thoratec biventricular support in a small child awaiting cardiac transplantation
Rakesh M Suri1, Richard C Daly, Joseph A Dearani
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55902, USA.
Insights
This study details the successful use of a biventricular assist device in the smallest patient with cardiomyopathy, serving as a bridge to cardiac transplantation. The report outlines surgical techniques and settings for optimal patient support.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Mechanical Circulatory Support
- Pediatric Cardiac Surgery
Background:
- Paracorporeal mechanical biventricular support devices are established for adult bridge-to-transplantation or heart recovery.
- Existing literature predominantly focuses on adult patient populations.
Observation:
- This report details the use of the Thoratec ventricular assist device in a pediatric patient.
- The patient was the smallest individual with cardiomyopathy to receive emergent biventricular support.
Findings:
- Successful emergent biventricular support was achieved in the smallest known patient with cardiomyopathy.
- The device functioned as a bridge to subsequent cardiac transplantation.
Implications:
- This case expands the application of biventricular assist devices to extremely small pediatric patients.
- Optimized surgical techniques and device settings can improve peripheral perfusion in pediatric mechanical circulatory support.
Abstract:
The use of paracorporeal mechanical biventricular support devices either as a bridge to transplantation or while awaiting recovery of the failing heart has been well described in the literature. The majority of these reports detail conditions specific to the adult population. We describe use of the Thoratec ventricular assist device (Thoratec Corp, Pleasanton, CA) in the smallest known cardiomyopathy patient to date to be successfully supported with an emergent biventricular device before subsequent cardiac transplantation. The operative technique, pump settings, and modifications utilized to optimize peripheral perfusion are detailed.
