Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2026

Use of a Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device/Left Atrium to Femoral Artery Bypass System for Cardiogenic Shock
07:39

Use of a Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device/Left Atrium to Femoral Artery Bypass System for Cardiogenic Shock

Published on: August 16, 2021

Paediatric ventricular assist devices: current achievements

M Schweiger1, H Dave, F Lemme

  • 1Department for Congenital Cardiovascular Surgery, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Switzerland. martinschweig88@hotmail.com

Swiss Medical Weekly
|June 7, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Mechanical circulatory support, including ventricular assist devices (VADs), is crucial for children with cardiomyopathy due to donor heart shortages. Advances in pediatric VADs offer new hope for end-stage heart failure in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • Mechanical circulatory support is vital for children with cardiomyopathy, especially with donor heart scarcity.
  • Adult ventricular assist devices (VADs) have advanced significantly, but pediatric VADs are less developed.
  • Existing pediatric VADs like Medos HIA and Berlin Heart Excor are designed for smaller children (BSA <1.2 m2).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current literature on long-term mechanical circulatory support in pediatric patients.
  • To summarize indications and contraindications for VADs in children.
  • To describe an institutional decision-making algorithm for pediatric VAD use.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of pediatric ventricular assist device (VAD) applications.
  • Analysis of indications and contraindications for long-term VAD support in children.
  • Description of a clinical decision-making pathway for VAD implantation in pediatric end-stage heart failure.

Main Results:

  • Pediatric VAD technology is evolving, with third-generation devices offering new possibilities.
  • Specific VADs are available for smaller children, but broader age group solutions are emerging.
  • Experience with existing devices is growing, improving outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Advances in pediatric VADs are expanding treatment options for children with end-stage heart failure.
  • Careful consideration of indications, contraindications, and institutional algorithms is essential for optimal VAD selection and use in children.
  • Continued development of VADs for all pediatric age groups is critical.

More Related Videos

Implantation of Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) in Juvenile Landrace Swine: A LVAD Implantation Model of Pediatric Heart Failure05:18

Implantation of Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) in Juvenile Landrace Swine: A LVAD Implantation Model of Pediatric Heart Failure

Published on: January 16, 2026

Related Concept Videos

Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care01:29

Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care

Managing cardiomyopathy involves addressing underlying or precipitating causes, treating heart failure with medications, and implementing dietary changes and a balanced exercise and rest regimen.Lifestyle ModificationsCardiomyopathy patients should adopt a low-sodium diet to reduce fluid retention and manage heart failure. A personalized exercise and rest plan helps maintain physical fitness without overstraining the heart. Avoiding alcohol and tobacco is essential to prevent further damage to...
Ventilatory Modes01:14

Ventilatory Modes

Mechanical ventilators are life-saving devices that support or replace spontaneous breathing. They deliver breaths to patients through varying methods known as ventilator modes. Understanding these modes is critical for healthcare providers managing patients with respiratory failure.
There are three ventilatory modes: full support, partial support, and spontaneous. These are described below.
Full Support Modes
Full support modes include controlled mechanical ventilation, continuous mandatory...
Mechanical Ventilation III: Noninvasive Ventilation01:23

Mechanical Ventilation III: Noninvasive Ventilation

Noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation (NIPPV), continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) are essential methods in respiratory care. These ventilation techniques offer unique benefits for patients with various respiratory conditions, providing adequate support without requiring intubation. Let's explore how each method is crucial in improving patient outcomes and enhancing respiratory therapy.
Noninvasive Positive-Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV)
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy01:30

Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...
Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies01:22

Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies

Additional therapies for treating patients with heart failure (HF) may include procedural interventions, supplemental oxygen, the management of sleep disorders, and nutritional therapy.Procedural InterventionsImplantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator: For patients at risk of life-threatening arrhythmias due to severe left ventricular dysfunction, an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) can detect and terminate these arrhythmias, preventing sudden cardiac death and improving survival rates.
Mechanical Ventilation II: Invasive Ventilation01:23

Mechanical Ventilation II: Invasive Ventilation

Ventilators are essential medical equipment used to aid patients with respiratory difficulties. Their primary function is to assist or replace spontaneous breathing by providing mechanical ventilation. There are two general classes of mechanical ventilators: negative-pressure and positive-pressure ventilators.
Negative-Pressure Ventilators
Negative-pressure ventilators create a vacuum around the chest or body to draw air into the lungs, simulating breathing. This method does not require an...