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Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Pediatric Animal Model of Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation After Prolonged Circulatory Arrest
Published on: May 26, 2023
Hemostasis management in pediatric mechanical circulatory support
Kerstin Seibel1, Pascal Berdat, Colette Boillat
1Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland.
Bridging to heart transplantation using the Berlin Heart Excor device was successful in a pediatric patient. Long-term use presented challenges with infection and hypercoagulability, requiring device management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric cardiology
- Mechanical circulatory support
- Transplantation medicine
Background:
- Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices are crucial for pediatric patients awaiting heart transplantation.
- The Berlin Heart Excor is an external biventricular device used for pediatric bridge-to-transplant therapy.
Observation:
- A 9-year-old boy utilized the Berlin Heart Excor for 7 months as a bridge to transplantation.
- The patient experienced significant complications, including device-related infections and hypercoagulability.
Findings:
- Six pump exchanges were necessary due to internal clotting, despite the absence of thromboembolic events.
- Effective hemostasis monitoring and management were critical for the long-term support duration.
Implications:
- This case highlights the complexities of long-term mechanical circulatory support in children.
- Optimized management strategies are essential to mitigate complications like infection and hypercoagulability in pediatric MCS patients.
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