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Updated: May 24, 2026
Implantation of Total Artificial Heart in Congenital Heart Disease
Published on: July 18, 2014
Implantation of the HeartWare HVAD in a child after a recent thromboembolic stroke
James K Kirklin1, F Bennett Pearce, Salpy V Pamboukian
1Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, USA. jkirklin@uab.edu
We report the implantation of a HeartWare left ventricular assist device in a child. A 9-year-old girl presented in cardiogenic shock complicated by an embolic stroke. Catheter-based thrombolysis partially reversed the neurologic deficit, but worsening cardiac failure prompted consideration of mechanical circulatory support (MCS). Limited available pericardial space, anticoagulation requirements, and thromboembolic potential favored the use of the HeartWare left ventricular assist device (HeartWare International, Inc, Framingham, MA). After device implantation and intensive physical rehabilitation, the patient underwent successful cardiac transplantation after 60 days of support.
We report the implantation of a HeartWare left ventricular assist device in a child. A 9-year-old girl presented in cardiogenic shock complicated by an embolic stroke. Catheter-based thrombolysis partially reversed the neurologic deficit, but worsening cardiac failure prompted consideration of mechanical circulatory support (MCS). Limited available pericardial space, anticoagulation requirements, and thromboembolic potential favored the use of the HeartWare left ventricular assist device (HeartWare International, Inc, Framingham, MA). After device implantation and intensive physical rehabilitation, the patient underwent successful cardiac transplantation after 60 days of support.
