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Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Utilizing Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Devices in Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Cardiogenic Shock
Published on: June 12, 2021
The PediPump: a versatile, implantable pediatric ventricular assist device--update IV
Brian W Duncan1, Kiyotaka Fukamachi, Lawrence D Noble
1The Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA. duncanb@ccf.org
Insights
Cleveland Clinic developed the PediPump, a pediatric ventricular assist device. Preclinical trials in sheep show excellent hemodynamic performance and minimal hemolysis, indicating readiness for clinical testing.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Pediatric Cardiology
Background:
- Pediatric heart failure requires innovative circulatory support solutions.
- Existing ventricular assist devices (VADs) may not be optimally sized or designed for pediatric patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report on the development and preclinical evaluation of the PediPump, a novel VAD for pediatric use.
- To assess the engineering advancements, anatomical modeling capabilities, and in vivo performance of the PediPump.
Main Methods:
- Iterative design improvements focusing on miniaturization, motor, magnetic bearings, and heat transfer.
- Development of 3D anatomical modeling and device-fitting tools using CT and MRI data.
- In vivo testing in sheep, including acute (6-hour) and chronic (30-day) implantations.
Main Results:
- The PediPump incorporates significant engineering enhancements for size reduction and improved function.
- Anatomical modeling facilitates preoperative planning and device implantation.
- Sheep studies demonstrated easy implantation, excellent hemodynamics, and minimal hemolysis.
Conclusions:
- The PediPump represents a significant advancement in pediatric ventricular assist device technology.
- Preclinical evaluation indicates satisfactory performance and readiness for clinical trials.
Abstract:
Cleveland Clinic's PediPump (Cleveland, OH, USA) is a ventricular assist device designed for the support of pediatric patients. The PediPump is a mixed-flow ventricular assist device with a magnetically suspended impeller measuring 10.5 mm in diameter by 64.5 mm in length. Progress and achievements for the PediPump program are considered according to the development project's three primary objectives: Basic engineering: along with size reductions, substantial design improvements have been incorporated in each design iteration including the motor, magnetic bearings, axial touch points, and heat transfer path; Anatomic modeling and device fitting studies: Techniques based on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging have been developed to create three-dimensional anatomic-modeling and device-fitting tools to facilitate device implantation and to assist in preoperative planning. For in vivo testing, to date, six acute (6-h duration) and nine chronic (30-day target duration) implantations have been performed in sheep; the implantation of the PediPump appears to be relatively easy with excellent hemodynamic performance and minimal hemolysis during support. Cleveland Clinic's PediPump program supported by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's Pediatric Circulatory Support Program has led to the development of a pediatric ventricular assist device that has satisfactory performance in preclinical evaluation and appears to be ready to support a program of clinical testing.
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