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Use of Two Intracorporeal Ventricular Assist Devices As a Total Artificial Heart
08:49

Use of Two Intracorporeal Ventricular Assist Devices As a Total Artificial Heart

Published on: May 11, 2018

Pulsatile paracorporeal assist devices in children and adolescents with biventricular failure

Mahesh S Sharma1, Steven A Webber, Sanjiv K Gandhi

  • 1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. sharmams@upmc.edu

ASAIO Journal (American Society for Artificial Internal Organs : 1992)
|December 3, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Pulsatile paracorporeal biventricular assist devices (BVADs) offer a life-saving option for children with severe heart failure, enabling bridge to transplantation or recovery. This study shows an 83% survival rate in pediatric patients receiving BVADs.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Cardiovascular Surgery
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • Pediatric heart failure unresponsive to medical therapy presents limited survival options.
  • Pulsatile paracorporeal ventricular assist devices (BVADs) serve as critical life-support interventions.
  • These devices facilitate bridge to cardiac transplantation or potential cardiac recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy and outcomes of Thoratec biventricular assist devices (BVADs) in pediatric patients with refractory heart failure.
  • To assess survival rates, complications, and the potential for cardiac recovery or transplantation.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective analysis of 12 pediatric patients implanted with Thoratec BVADs between March 1997 and July 2004.
  • Patients had a mean age of 14.9 years and a mean BSA of 1.7.
  • Indications included end-stage cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, and postcardiotomy heart failure.

Main Results:

  • Overall survival was 83% (10 out of 12 patients).
  • Nine patients (75%) were successfully bridged to cardiac transplantation.
  • One patient experienced cardiac recovery and device explantation; two patients died on support.

Conclusions:

  • Pulsatile paracorporeal BVADs are a viable and successful treatment for children and adolescents with intractable biventricular heart failure.
  • These findings support the consideration of miniaturized assist device technology for smaller pediatric patients.
  • BVADs provide crucial support, improving outcomes in pediatric refractory heart failure.

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